The label is also seeking $36 million in copyright damages.
Photo credit: Napster – Website
Sony Music has filed a lawsuit against Rhapsody International, parent company of streaming service Napster, claiming US$9.2 million in unpaid royalties and licensing fees. Filed on August 1st in a US District Court, the complaint says Napster defaulted on payments for over a year while still collecting subscription fees.
The case cites four licensing agreements allowing Napster access to Sony’s catalog. When Web3 firm Infinite Reality acquired Rhapsody in March for $207 million, Sony says Napster already owed $6.79 million. Sony agreed to keep the contracts if the debt was paid in installments, but alleges no payments have been made since, including for new fees after the sale.
Sony terminated the agreements in June but claims its catalog remains on Napster, calling it “willful infringement.” The label is seeking $150,000 per infringed work for 240 songs, totaling at least $36 million.
This follows other royalty disputes involving Napster and past lawsuits between the two companies dating back to 1999.
