While riders were busy hitting miles on September 12, 2019, Peloton (an exercise bike company) was slammed with an amended complaint for double damages in a copyright infringement suit.

In March 2019, the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) filed suit against Peloton for using over 1,000 songs on their exercise equipment from various artists without a license. In response to recent discovery findings of usage of an additional 1,200 songs, the NMPA asked courts to double their claim from $150 million to $300 million.

Peloton filed counterclaims, asserting that the NMPA violated antitrust law. The counterclaim is the result of Peloton accusing the NMPA of instigating “A coordinated effort . . . to fix prices and engage in a concerted refusal to deal with Peloton.” The NMPA moved to dismiss the counterclaims, but a court has yet to rule on this motion.

The suit came in accompaniment with Peloton announcing a scheduled stock market launch of $26 and $29 per share of stock to increase company’s value. Peloton asserts they will continue to defend themselves against all claims in this matter and continue to peruse the counterclaims.

Sources:

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/music-publishers-v-peloton-claimed-copyright-damages-double-300-million-1239448

https://nypost.com/2019/09/13/music-publishers-double-claims-against-peloton-to-300-million/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/bizcarson/2019/09/13/music-publishers-double-claims-against-peloton-to-300-million-for-using-taylor-swift-adele-songs/#65eeac4f60a3

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