In a shocking turn of events, The MLC has taken legal action against Pandora, accusing them of underpaying mechanical royalties to songwriters and publishers. This lawsuit could be a major step towards ensuring that songwriters and publishers receive the royalties they deserve.

In a shocking turn of events, the Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC) has taken legal action against Pandora Media, LLC, accusing the music streaming giant of underpaying mechanical royalties to songwriters and publishers. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, seeks to recover unpaid royalties and late fees due under the compulsory mechanical blanket license obtained by Pandora.

The Unraveling of a Battle Unseen
The battle between The MLC and Pandora is not a new one. It began in 2021 when the music streaming service allegedly failed to adequately pay and report its monthly royalties. This included accounting for its ad-supported tier, 'Pandora Free'. The MLC, tasked with collecting and distributing royalties, is particularly concerned with the low royalties per stream reported by Pandora.

Retroactive Royalty Accounting: A Missing Link
The lawsuit also raises concerns over the lack of retroactive royalty accounting for the years 2021 and 2022. This is a significant issue, as it means that songwriters and publishers may not have received the royalties they were due during this period. The ongoing battle over royalty rates for the years 2018-2022 further complicates the matter.

A Pushback Against Unfair Licensing Rates
The news of this lawsuit comes amidst a growing pushback in the music industry against unfair licensing rates. Many believe that streaming services like Pandora are not paying fair royalties to the creators of the music they profit from. This lawsuit could be a major step towards ensuring that songwriters and publishers receive the royalties they deserve.

As the music industry continues to evolve, it is crucial that the rights of creators are protected. The MLC's lawsuit against Pandora is a reminder that the fight for fair royalties is far from over. It is a story of power, ambition, and the ongoing struggle for justice in the music industry.

Important terms: Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC), Pandora Media, LLC, mechanical royalties, songwriters, publishers, compulsory mechanical blanket license, retroactive royalty accounting, unfair licensing rates.

In conclusion, the lawsuit filed by The MLC against Pandora highlights the ongoing battle for fair royalties in the music industry. The alleged underpayment and underreporting of mechanical royalties by Pandora has far-reaching implications for songwriters and publishers. As the case unfolds, it is clear that the fight for justice in the music industry is far from over.