According to the Rhapsody Settlement, Rhapsody announced that it will pay $10 million to resolve the claims made by consumers against it. Consumers claimed that the company didn’t pay songwriters for their music.
The details for Qualifying Registered Works and Qualifying Unregistered Works are available in the “Who’s Eligible” section below.
Moreover, the plaintiffs claimed that the company, which operated the music streaming service Napster, failed to pay songwriters the mechanical royalties they deserve for music stream by company.
Further, according to the copyright class action lawsuit, Rhapsody violated section 115 of the Copyright Act.
Moreover, the plaintiff claimed that Rhapsody allegedly fails to follow the procedure to pay to the writers for their song.
Between the initial filing of the suit that took place in March 2016 and April 2018. Moreover, Rhapsody and the plaintiffs attended three mediation meetings to resolve the settlement.
Further, the settlement was agreed in January, this year.
For a valid claim, Class Members will be able to recover up to $35 for each Qualifying Registered Work for which they have claimed.
Moreover, to qualify the under register work, Class Members can ask for $1 for the work that was played more than 24 times.
Moreover, the Class Members have to file a valid claim before 31 December 2019 to receive payment.
Further, the deadline for objection is July 5, 2019. The final approval hearing will take place on March 13, 2020.
Who’s Eligible
The Rhapsody settlement will provide benefits to owners of mechanically distributed and/or reproduced rights in:
(a) Further, Qualifying Registered Works are the ones on Rhapsody music between March 7, 2013, and March 21, 2019.
(b) Moreover, Qualifying Unregistered Works that were not registered with the U.S. Copyright Office.
Qualifying Unregistered Works include musical works that did not had a registration with the U.S. Copyright Office consistent with the definition of Qualifying Registered Works.
Potential Award
Up to $35 for each validly claimed Qualifying Registered Work. $1 for each validly claimed Qualifying Unregistered Work that was played more than 24 times.
Proof of Purchase
Copyright and publishing information for claimed works.
Deadline To File The Claim
12/31/2019
Case Name
Lowery, et al. v. Rhapsody International Inc.,
Case No. 4:16-cv-01135,
in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Final Hearing
3/13/2020
Claims Administrator
Lowery, et al. v. Rhapsody International Inc. Settlement
c/o Heffler Claims Group
PO Box 58232
Philadelphia, PA 19102-8232
1-833-253-8061
