In a settlement reached on Wednesday, Triller, the short-form video app, has agreed to pay $4.5 million to Sony Music to compensate for alleged copyright infringement. The settlement is the result of a long-running dispute between the two companies over the use of Sony’s music in Triller’s videos.
Triller, which is popular for its short-form videos, allows users to create and share content using popular music tracks. However, the company has been accused of not obtaining proper licenses from music labels, resulting in copyright infringement.
In August 2020, Sony Music filed a lawsuit against Triller, accusing the app of using its copyrighted material without obtaining the necessary licenses or permissions. The lawsuit alleged that Triller had used more than 1,000 songs owned by Sony Music without authorization, including works by popular artists like Beyonce, Mariah Carey, and Travis Scott.
Triller, on the other hand, claimed that it had secured the necessary licenses from music publishers, which it believed covered the use of the music in its videos. The company also argued that it had taken steps to remove any infringing content from its platform.
The dispute between the two companies escalated over the following months, with Sony Music seeking damages and an injunction against Triller. However, the case took a turn in Triller’s favor earlier this year when a federal judge in California dismissed the lawsuit, stating that Sony Music had failed to provide sufficient evidence of copyright infringement.
Despite the dismissal, Triller and Sony Music continued to negotiate a settlement, which was finally reached this week. Under the terms of the settlement, Triller will pay Sony Music $4.5 million in compensation for the alleged copyright infringement.
In a statement, Triller’s CEO, Mike Lu, said that the settlement was a positive outcome for both companies. “We are pleased to have resolved this matter with Sony Music and believe that this settlement is in the best interests of both parties,” Lu said.
Lu also emphasized that Triller was committed to respecting the rights of copyright holders and would continue to work closely with music labels and publishers to ensure that it obtains the necessary licenses and permissions for the music used on its platform.
The settlement with Sony Music is just the latest legal battle that Triller has faced in recent years. In 2020, the company also filed a lawsuit against TikTok, accusing the rival app of infringing on its patents. However, the case was dismissed earlier this year, with the judge ruling that Triller had failed to provide sufficient evidence of patent infringement.
Despite these legal challenges, Triller has continued to grow in popularity, with the app now boasting more than 100 million active users. The company has also made several high-profile acquisitions in recent years, including the purchase of the popular music app, Verzuz. With these acquisitions and its growing user base, Triller is well-positioned to become a major player in the streaming music business. The company’s videos are also gaining traction on other platforms, with many users turning to Triller for their entertainment needs. In short, there’s no denying that Triller has made impressive progress in a short amount of time. As the company continues to expand, it will be interesting to see how far they can take their success.
The settlement with Sony Music is likely to be seen as a warning to other short-form video apps that use music without obtaining proper licenses. As the popularity of these apps continues to grow, music labels and publishers are becoming increasingly vigilant about protecting their copyrights.
In conclusion, Triller’s settlement with Sony Music marks the end of a long and contentious legal battle over alleged copyright infringement. While the settlement may be a blow to Triller’s finances, it is also a positive step towards resolving the dispute and ensuring that the rights of copyright holders are respected.
