XM Satellite Radio has reached a settlement with Warner Music Group which sets up a multi-year deal that will enable XM listeners (and, if the merger goes through, perhaps Sirius customers) to record music from Warner Music Group artists on XM devices. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The recording industry had sued the satellite radio operator back in 2006 over the Pioneer Inno, a portable receiver which can record tup to 50 hours of XM programming for later listening. Music distributors argued that the licenses granted to XM were for broadcast only, and did not include the right to enable customers to make recordings of the media.
Warner Music Group’s settlement with XM is the second deal with a major music label in as many weeks: Universal Music also reached an undisclosed settlement with XM. Like the WMG deal, the Universal pact also set up a multi-year arrangement enabling XM to offer recording capabilities on the Pioneer Inno and other future devices. Next up: EMI and Sony BMG?
