Merlin Secures $3.2M Default Judgment Against Triller Over Unpaid Licensing Fees

Triller Group Inc., the parent company of the Triller platform, has been ordered to pay Merlin more than USD $3.2 million in a default judgment stemming from a dispute over unpaid music licensing fees.

Backstory:

• Merlin sued Triller in March 2025, alleging the platform had breached a 2020 licensing agreement.

• According to the complaint, Triller agreed to a "most favored nation" clause entitling Merlin to the difference if Triller later paid higher licensing fees to another music company.

• Merlin claimed to have discovered through a separate 2022 lawsuit that Triller had given another record company, believed to be Sony Music Entertainment, more favorable rates.

The ruling:

• A July 9 judgment entered by Judge Jeannette A. Vargas of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York awarded Merlin $2,550,000 in damages, following an earlier order granting its motion for default.

• The judgment also awarded Merlin $667,636.36 in pre-judgment interest and $717.05 in costs, plus post-judgment interest.