Pandora Settles In Royalty Case

In a move that will end a protracted legal battle, streaming music service Pandora has settled with the two largest U.S. performing-rights groups, setting undisclosed royalty rates for the next several years. In 2012 Pandora sued the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers to seek lower royalty rates, while Broadcast Music Inc. sued in 2013 to raise the rates. A federal judge granted BMI’s request earlier this year and Pandora appealed. Now, with the rate issue settled, Pandora will abandon that appeal. It also plans to pursue direct deals with record companies in order to expand overseas.