Global Music Rights (GMR) has formally initiated legal proceedings, filing a copyright infringement lawsuit against radio station operator Vermont Broadcast Associates (VBA) and its proprietor, Bruce James. The performance rights organization (PRO), founded by Irving Azoff, submitted a direct complaint to a Vermont federal court. Established 11 years ago, Global Music Rights, an invitation-only entity, represents works from approximately 150 commercially prominent songwriters, including Drake and The Eagles.
On the opposing side of the legal dispute, Vermont Broadcast Associates—distinct from the Vermont Association of Broadcasters, where James is honored in its hall of fame—manages seven traditional radio stations in Vermont, as well as New Hampshire and Quebec, as per its website.
Global Music Rights (Credits: Web News Wire)
To comply with U.S. copyright law and legally broadcast protected music on these stations, VBA is obligated to obtain a license for the public performance of the underlying compositions. However, the plaintiff’s concise complaint alleges that the radio operator has been using GMR members’ works without permission since at least 2017.
The lawsuit emphasizes that when a terrestrial radio company performs a musical composition without obtaining advanced permission, it violates federal copyright laws. The suit further asserts that when a radio company declines multiple opportunities to license public performances, pays nothing for performances, and still willfully performs compositions, it is in violation of copyright laws.
According to GMR, it presented written licensing agreement proposals to the defendants in various instances between 2017 and 2022. Despite ten separate opportunities, VBA did not accept any offers and has not paid any license fees to GMR since January 2017, as outlined in the lawsuit. Global Music Rights interprets this as a strategic decision by VBA to avoid payment for the use of the well-known works in question.
While the lawsuit does not necessarily indicate an impending settlement with VBA, it’s noteworthy that in January 2023, GMR resolved two separate lawsuits involving radio groups Red Wolf Broadcasting and One Putt Broadcasting. Additionally, in February 2022, GMR concluded a lengthier dispute with the Radio Music License Committee, an organization focused on negotiating fair and reasonable license fees with music licensing organizations on behalf of radio stations.
