Global Music Rights Sues Music Choice, Alleging ‘Willful’ Copyright Infringement of 95 Songs After Its License Expired

Why It Matters

The suit highlights the high financial risk for broadcasters that ignore performance‑rights licenses, reinforcing the need for diligent rights management across the media industry.

Key Takeaways

• GMR sued Music Choice for performing 95 songs after license expired
• Potential damages reach $14.25 million (95 × $150,000)
• Music Choice declined license renewal despite multiple offers from GMR
• Catalog includes hits by Springsteen, Billie Eilish, Pearl Jam
• Case underscores enforcement risk for broadcasters using PRO repertoires

Pulse Analysis

The lawsuit filed by Global Music Rights against Music Choice underscores a pivotal moment in performance‑rights enforcement. GMR, a relatively new but influential PRO founded by Irving Azoff, represents a roster of marquee songwriters such as Bruce Springsteen, Billie Eilish, and the Eagles. By alleging that Music Choice continued to broadcast 95 compositions after the license lapsed on January 1 2026, GMR is leveraging the statutory damages provision that allows up to $150,000 per infringed work, a figure that could total roughly $14.25 million. This aggressive legal posture follows GMR’s recent history of defending its repertoire, including a multi‑year battle with the Radio Music License Committee that concluded in a 2022 settlement.

Financial stakes in the case are substantial, but the broader significance lies in the precedent it sets for the industry. Music Choice, owned by a consortium that includes Sony, Charter, Comcast, Cox, and Microsoft, operates across linear TV, streaming apps, and on‑demand platforms—channels that rely heavily on licensed content to attract viewers. The company’s decision to forgo renewal, despite repeated outreach from GMR, signals a calculated risk that could backfire if courts uphold the maximum statutory damages. Prior royalty disputes, such as the 2019 SoundExchange suit, illustrate how cumulative litigation can erode profit margins and damage brand reputation for large distributors.

For broadcasters and digital platforms, the case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of proactive rights management. Companies must maintain up‑to‑date licensing agreements, monitor expiration dates, and implement compliance checks to avoid inadvertent infringement. As PROs like GMR continue to expand their catalogs and assert enforcement, the cost of non‑compliance is likely to rise, prompting industry players to invest in more sophisticated rights‑tracking technology and legal oversight. The outcome of this lawsuit will likely influence how aggressively other PROs pursue similar claims, reshaping the risk calculus for any entity that curates music for public consumption.