Pandora will pay RIAA $90 million for playing pre-1972 songs

(credit: RIAA)

Internet radio company Pandora has agreed to pay the major US record labels $90 million over streaming of pre-1972 songs, which aren't covered under federal copyright but are covered by state-level copyrights in areas including New York and California.

It's the second big payment that will go to the Recording Industry Association of America, which has already won a $210 million settlement with SiriusXM satellite radio over the same issue.

The settlement covers Pandora's past plays of pre-1972 music, and it also covers the music service through the end of 2016. At that time, Pandora will have to reach another licensing deal with the RIAA if it wants to keep playing the old music.

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