Australia's major music rights management organisation APRA AMCOS claims two platforms operated by Madman Entertainment have refused to pay for a licence which would allow them to legally use copyrighted music in their films and shows.
A Federal Court lawsuit was filed on Wednesday against DocPlay and Garage Entertainment over their documentary and adventure sports streaming services.
APRA AMCOS claims it has been in discussions over the DocPlay and Garage licences since 2017 and that litigation was the "last resort".
"We know that these services have been using APRA AMCOS' music without a licence for over five years and we've done everything we can to engage with them over those years to resolve the issue fairly and amicably. Unfortunately, to no avail," said APRA AMCOS' head of music licensing and operations Richard Mallett.
"So, we really are left with little choice but to seek assistance from the courts to defend the rights of our members and partners, many of whom are songwriters and composers that rely heavily on the royalties we collect from services like these for their livelihood."
The organisation said the failure to sign up to the proper licences placed a "significant impost" on composers and songwriters who expected that ongoing royalties be earned through the continued use of their material on platforms such as DocPlay and Garage.
In the lawsuit, APRA AMCOS is seeking damages, its legal costs and court orders barring Madman from using its music without a licence again.
"While litigation is always the last resort, APRA AMCOS will vigorously defend the rights of our members and partners to earn income via the royalties that arise from the licensing that APRA AMCOS undertakes," the organisation said.
Mushroom Music, Native Tongue Music Publishing and Sony Music Publishing are pursuing the lawsuit alongside the music rights association.
Madman chairman Brett Chenoweth, director Charbel Nader, co-founder and CEO Paul Wiegard plus Adrian Mackenzie, founder of Five V Capital which has put money into the entertainment firm, are named as respondents.
The matter has yet to come before the court and there are no findings of misconduct against any of these individuals.
AAP has contacted Madman for comment.
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