Universal music countersued

In 2014 Universal Music sued the music service Inflight and its parent company Global Eagle, which provide in-flight music entertainment to certain airlines. Inflight secures licenses for content from labels and rights organizations and then provides the music to airlines, which Universal alleged infringed its copyrights of musical recordings and publications.

Now Inflight has fired back with counterclaims filed in California federal court. The company alleges that Universal had allowed Inflight to use their music for years, often providing tracks to them.

"Universal music knew, expected and, indeed, hoped that these sound recordings (or at least some of them) would be used by CSPs and their airline customers in connection with inflight audio entertainment services provided by airlines to their passengers, who were essentially a captive audience for hours at a time," reads the complaint.

Inflight states that it contacted Universal in 2009, and Universal agreed to a licensing fee and said they would send Inflight a licensing agreement. During that time Inflight claims that Universal Music assured them that their continued reproduction and distribution of the label's works in the United States for use on airlines was acceptable.

The music service believes that Universal's suit is a response to another recent lawsuit against Inflight, brought by Sony, which ended in a settlement. They suggest that Universal is also reacting to changes in the music industry and may be looking to establish their own business providing music to airlines.

Inflight is claiming misrepresentation, concealment, interference with contractual relations and interference with prospective business advantage.

Stories such as these show how complex and convoluted copyright law can be. If you work with intellectual property and believe that your rights have been infringed upon you should contact an experienced business attorney as soon as possible.

Categorised in: Intellectual Property Law

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