MBW understands that Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group are teaming up for a legal case against streaming radio service TuneIn in the UK market.
Our sources tell us that the pair of majors have issued proceedings in the UK High Court against TuneIn, alleging that the digital music platform has breached copyright laws.
US company TuneIn is a free digital radio service which offers its listeners music, sport, news, podcast and audiobook content.
Founded in 2002, it boasts more than 60m monthly active users worldwide.
A legal document seen by one MBW source suggests that the majors have submitted evidence which they claim shows a sample of 800 unlicensed TuneIn music streams in the UK.
The IFPI is understood to be involved in the day-to-day litigation process for both majors, which is being brought about by their UK companies.
One anticipated defence from TuneIn could involve the claim that it is a ‘pipeline’ for content, and as such doesn’t always know which specific music is played when.
We’re told that the High Court claim was served last week, and that TuneIn has till the end of November to file a defence.
San Francisco-based TuneIn recently hit music industry headlines after hiring former SoundCloud exec Holly Lim as Chief Financial Officer.Music Business Worldwide
