US: Peloton counter suits music publishers

At-home exercise startup Peloton vehemently denies using unlicensed music in its workout videos, according to allegations that were brought against the company by the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) last month in a US$150 million lawsuit.

NMPA and members Downtown Music Publishing, Pulse Music Publishing, ole, peermusic, Ultra Music, Big Deal Music, Reservoir, Round Hill, TRO Essex Music Group, and The Royalty Network initially filed the suit on March 19, accusing Peloton of copyright infringement on more than 1,000 musical works by artists like Drake and Ariana Grande. Peloton, which was recently valued at US$4 billion, offers more than 13,000 recorded workout classes, most of which incorporate music, within its at-home streaming subscription service.

In a counterclaim filed April 30 and obtained by Billboard, Peloton denies each and every allegation put forth by the NMPA, claiming that it has obtained licenses from—and is paying—all “major” publishers, many independent publishers, and the performing rights organizations representing all songwriters and publishers whose music included in its videos. The same goes for its relationship with major and independent record labels.