Some of the major providers of digital music, which include Apple, Google and Sony have been hit with lawsuits relating to music which was produced before 1972.
A total of seven lawsuits have been filed against Apple’s Beats Music, Google, Sony Entertainment, Rdio, Slack and more.
These lawsuits are claiming that the company’s are offering digital radio services for pre 1972 tracks that they apparently do not have a license for.
The proposed class actions are being led in California federal court by Zenbu Magazines, which says it owns older sound recordings created by The Flying Burrito Brothers, Hot Tuna and New Riders of the Purple Sage.
The lawsuits are claiming that Apple’s Beats Music service owes at least $5 million in royalties to the performers, and the other companies are rumored to allegedly owe similar amounts.
Source Holywood Reporter, Techmeme