Comedy Partners $11M Underpaid Royalties Settlement

If you were or are a party to a recording contract with Comedy Partners and your works were distributed by digital audio transmission via SiriusXM Radio between May 19, 2013, and December 31, 2022, you may be eligible to receive a payment from an $11 million payment from a class action settlement.

Comedy Partners and Paramount Global have agreed to pay $11,000,000 to settle a class action lawsuit for allegedly underpaying royalties to parties to certain licensing agreements or recording contracts whose works were distributed via SiriusXM Radio. The settlement resolves claims that Comedy Partners and Paramount Global failed to pay full royalties as required under these contracts.

Who is eligible to receive a royalties payment?

Class members must meet the following criteria:

• You are or were a party to a Recording Contract with Comedy Partners:
• Individuals and entities who signed Recording Contracts with Comedy Partners.
• Agents, successors in interest, affiliates, assigns, heirs, executors, trustees, and administrators of those individuals or entities.
• Both current and former parties to Recording Contracts, provided their works were distributed during the specified period.

• Your works were distributed by digital audio transmission via SiriusXM Radio under such Recording Contracts between May 19, 2013, and December 31, 2022.

How much is the class action settlement payout?

Pro Rata Cash Payment: Each class member will receive a cash payment. The amount will be determined by the number of times your recordings were played on SiriusXM Radio during the class period and other factors.

No claim form required

Class members do not need to submit a claim in order to receive a payment. The settlement administrator has been provided a class member list with recording details.

Payout options

Class members will be contacted to select a payment option:

• Paper check
• Class members that do not make a payment selection will receive a check mailed to the address on file

• PayPal
• Venmo
• ACH

$11 Million SiriusXM recording class action settlement fund

The settlement fund of $11,000,000 will cover these payments:

• Settlement administration costs: Not to exceed $28,000
• Attorneys' fees: Up to $3,666,666.66
• Attorneys' expenses: Not to exceed $100,000
• Service awards to class representatives: $5,000 each for four representatives, no more than $20,000
• Payments to class members: The remaining settlement funds, estimated at $7,185,333.34

Important dates

• Claim Deadline: No claim form required
• Deadline to Opt Out: June 9, 2025
• Fairness Hearing: July 22, 2025

When is the Comedy Partners settlement payout date?

The Fairness Hearing is scheduled for July 22, 2025. According to the settlement agreement, payments will be issued to class members 60 days after the court grants final approval.

Why was there a class action lawsuit and settlement?

The class action lawsuits alleged that Comedy Partners and Paramount Global underpaid royalties to parties to licensing agreements or recording contracts whose works were distributed by SiriusXM Radio. The lawsuits claimed that the defendants failed to pay the full royalties owed under these contracts for the period between May 19, 2013, and December 31, 2022.

Comedy Partners and Paramount Global deny any liability but agreed to settle to avoid the cost of continued litigation and a trial.

Sources

1. Official Settlement Website FAQ Page
2. Class Notice
3. Settlement Agreement