XM and Universal settle Inno lawsuit, Warner next?

The labels and XM have been fighting it out over XM + MP3 players for a while now, but it looks like Universal Music Group is finally backing down, signing a multi-year settlement agreement covering recording-capable XM radios like Pioneer's Inno. Terms of the agreement weren't released, but everyone sounds happy, with XM CEO Nate Davis calling the settlement "a win for everyone involved, especially for consumers." Of course, that means XM is now in a suit with just most of the RIAA instead of all of it, but the outlook's not all bad: Reuters is reporting that Warner and XM are close to settlement as well. No word on when that might go down, but Reuters says it'll be "soon." Now if only the other labels would get it together, no?

Read - XM and Universal settlement press release
Read - Reuters blurb about XM and Warner settling

[Steven @ Dec 17th 2007 7:34PM]

The 'settlement' probably involves XM paying some sum of money to Universal, the cost of which will be passed on to me as the consumer. I don't see how this is "a win for everyone involved, especially for consumers."

As a consumer, I resent being talked down to and told this benefits me...

[skhawaja @ Dec 17th 2007 8:32PM]

Your attention please:

I can't make a mixtape of stuff I hear on the terrestrial radio stations, but satellite is okay?

Recording satellite radio on your receiver is okay?, keeping mp3 and wma files on it are also okay?

I guess I have to thank XM (Sirrius) and Universal - kinda? maybe? - for setting an example?

Did RIPAA just get one of it's arms busted? or is that HYDRA HEAD?

[Alex @ Dec 18th 2007 7:01PM]

The thing about it is the mp3 files can only be accessed on the unit while you have an active subscription to XM. And you can not take the mp3 songs off the device.

[Chuck @ Dec 18th 2007 1:50AM]

It doesn't work that way. You can't take the Songs off the Inno at all, its a non-standard format and there is no way to access them. Also, once the Inno's subscription is over (you don't renew with XM) the songs are deleted.

XM's original answer was those same songs would be heard during the subscription period, they were just allowing you to hear them when you wanted rather than when they decided to play them.

I see it more like the yahoomusic method, you pay a monthly fee, get to listen to your favorites anytime you want and once you stop paying they get erased.

[skhawaja @ Dec 18th 2007 6:05AM]

if it's locked down like that - they still made a lawsuit out of it?

first reaction, just wow

second reaction, it figures

I guess it's better to save your money and goto a concert instead - at least the artist did some work in front of you - then again you could go broke every time a concert came to town.

[alex boccardi @ Dec 25th 2007 10:33PM]

I just got this today i think it is compleate B.S that i have to pay to get the music off my xm inno