Pandora has struck a deal with rights administration platform Music Reports, to manage the mechanical licensing and royalty administration for its upcoming interactive streaming service.
The deal looks to avoid royalty lawsuits which has beset Spotify in the last year, with Music Reports a rival to SESAC's Harry Fox Agency.
Pandora is planning to see through its "commitment to supporting artists", according to the release, by provide open deal terms and reporting transparency through Music Rights. Music Reports’ licensing opt-in platform will also reportedly give music publishers greater insight into and control over how catalogues of musical works are being enjoyed, and offer consistent rates across the industry.
Tim Westergren, founder and CEO at Pandora, said: “As we expand the listening experience on Pandora, it’s important that we continue to ensure music makers are not only accurately and fairly compensated, but also have more control and greater transparency around the use of their art.
“That’s why Music Reports’ opt-in licensing and full reporting infrastructure is so important. I’m thrilled to be working with another partner that puts artists’ interests first.”
Bill Colitre, VP and general counsel of Music Reports, Inc, added: “Pandora and Music Reports share a commitment to comprehensive licensing solutions so that royalties properly flow to publishers and songwriters.
“Music Reports is in a unique position to reach every active publisher in the market, ensuring Pandora can offer them all the opportunity to participate in these new services, on the same terms. This is another huge step forward for music licensing in the United States.”
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