National News: Labels Face Antitrust Suit; Arbitron; Bergman Catalogue

An antitrust lawsuit alleging price fixing of digital downloads by the major labels has been reinstated by a federal appeals court. EMI, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group, are among the defendants in the case that will be allowed to proceed. The U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the October 2008 decision of a lower court which dismissed the case.

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Board member William Kerr has been named President/CEO of Arbitron following the resignation of Michael Skarzynski.

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Spirit Music Group has acquired Threesome Music, the song catalogue of acclaimed multiple Grammy, Oscar and Emmy-winning songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Through the agreement, Spirit will acquire rights to more than 300 songs recorded by such classic artists as Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughan, Celine Dion and Luciano Pavarotti. The catalog also includes timeless standards recorded by Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Neil Diamond/Barbra Streisand, and Michael Jackson.

Category: Featured, Financial/Legal, Publishing, Radio