GMR & VBR Make Nice, Settle Up

• Global Music Rights (GMR), the boutique performing rights organization that represents the works of preeminent songwriters and composers, and Vermont Broadcast Associates (VBA) have reached an agreement to settle GMR’s lawsuit against VBA alleging infringement of copyrighted songs in the GMR repertory.

You may recall that in January, GMR, founded in 2013 by Irving Azoff and Randy Grimmett filed suit against Vermont Broadcast Associates — a group of seven radio stations based in Vermont — for what is said was “the station group’s repeated and willful infringement of copyrighted songs licensed by GMR. GMR has identified over 1,600 instances of willful infringement by VBA.”

Fast-forward to present day… and GMR and VBA are pleased to have reached an agreement, which includes a long-term GMR license entered into between the parties, as well as settlement of past alleged infringements.

GMR’s General Counsel, Emio Zizza, commented, “We are dedicated to protecting the rights of GMR songwriters and composers, and ensuring entities publicly performing their works are appropriately licensed. Through this lawsuit, we have accomplished those endeavors, and look forward to our go-forward licensing relationship with VBA.”