RTR Distribution Sues Sony Music, UnitedMasters Over Royalty Terms

RTR Distribution, a company that utilizes blockchain technology to deliver real-time royalty payments for creators, has issued Sony Music and UnitedMasters with cease-and-desist letters over the use of the term 'Real-Time Royalties'.

The main players:

• UnitedMasters is a digital music distribution company that allows users to distribute, monetize and market their music.

• On May 13, it issued a press release announcing the launch of Real-Time Royalties, "a first of its kind innovation that pays artists nearly instantly for their streams on Apple Music and Spotify."

• Sony Music has also marketed its ability to provide artists with 'Real Time Royalties' as part of their Real Time Artist Tools suite of features.

The issue:

• As per Digital Music News, "RTR Distribution holds a pending patent for real-time royalty payment technology and has exclusive rights to the technology in the blockchain-based entertainment monetization space."

• The cease-and-desist letter demands UnitedMasters remove the term "Real-Time Royalties" from its marketing, promotional materials, and any online references.

• It demands Sony Music also remove the term in any "marketing, promotional, or operations capacity."

What they said:

• Joshua D. Combs, Founder and CEO of RTR Distribution: "The use of the term 'real-time royalties' by UnitedMasters is not only misleading but also an infringement on the intellectual property we've worked tirelessly to build. If they do not comply, we will take the necessary legal steps to protect our pending patent and our business."