Music Week
Four Tet vs Domino Recordings has reached a conclusion.
The electronic music pioneer had taken legal action against his former label over streaming royalties – a case that looked as if it might set a precedent for the wider industry.
I have a bodacious update on my case with @Dominorecordco. They have recognised my original claim, that I should be paid a 50% royalty on streaming and downloads, and that they should be treated as a license rather than the same as a CD or vinyl sale.
(1/8)— Four Tet (@FourTet) June 20, 2022
The case has now been settled with Four Tet securing his demand for a 50% royalties rate for streaming and downloads on repertoire covered by an historic contract. He has also been reimbursed for the underpayment of £56,921 plus interest. The terms of the settlement have been publicly disclosed.
In a statement on social media, Four Tet said: “I have a bodacious update on my case with Domino. They have recognised my original claim, that I should be paid a 50% royalty on streaming and downloads, and that they should be treated as a licence rather than the same as a CD or vinyl sale.
“It has been a difficult and stressful experience to work my way through this court case and I’m so glad we got this positive result, but I feel hugely relieved that the process is over. Hopefully I’ve opened up a constructive dialogue and maybe prompted others to push for a fairer deal on historical contracts, written at a time when the music industry operated entirely differently.
“I really hope that my own course of action encourages anyone who might feel intimidated by challenging a record label with substantial means. Unlike Domino, I didn’t work with a big law firm and luckily the case took place in the IPEC court (where legal costs are capped) so I was able to stand my ground.
“I hope these types of life of copyright deals become extinct – the music industry isn’t definitive and given its evolutionary nature it seems crazy to me to try and institutionalise music in that way. I feel so thankful for the people who worked with me on this, all of them understood my motivation, and I am truly grateful for all of the fans and artists who showed support for the intention here.”
