Adele, The xx labels win $1.6m Sirius copyright settlement
Global independent rights agency Merlin lodged a class action lawsuit against Sirius in relation to the firm's Stiletto range and other similar recording devices, after claims were settled with the four major record labels in 2007 and 2008.
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The legal action was filed against Sirius, not satellite radio group SiriusXM, as it related to infringement dating back before the company's merger in 2008.
Merlin separately settled with XM Satellite Radio in April last year over the Pioneer Inno recordable radio receiver and other similar recording devices.
All indie labels that had their music transmitted by Sirius Satellite Radio between November 1, 2005 and August 26, 2011 are expected to benefit from the $1.6m settlement.
Merlin's members represent a wide range of a! rtists, including Adele, Arctic Monkeys, Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire, The xx, Grizzly Bear, The National, Tom Waits and Tisto.
"At a time where market consolidation is swallowing up more independent interests, delivering even more power into the hands of the largest major labels, adding this settlement to the growing list of litigation successes achieved by Merlin on behalf of its members is gratifying," said Charles Caldas, the chief executive of Merlin.
"Actions such as this further underline the enormous value that Merlin provides to the ever growing list of independents that have chosen to enhance their business by joining our organisation."
Merlin has been battling to gain parity with the major labels in terms of copyright infringement settlements, over concerns that the biggest players are succeeding with legal cases, while the indie labels are being left behind.
Last month, the agency secured a mulit-million pound settlement with file-sharing service LimeWire, after the major labels had reached a $105 million (64m) out-of-court settlement with the now defunct company a year earlier.