Washington - The National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA), a trade association that represents over 700 U.S. music publishers, announced on Friday that it has settled its lawsuit against German media conglomerate Bertelsmann, over the company's investment in the Napster file-sharing service in 2000.

Financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed, although Bertelsmann admitted no liability as part of the deal.

The NMPA was one of several music industry entities to sue Bertelsmann over its $85 million investment in the then-illicit Napster service, claiming the company aided copyright infringement with its financial support of Napster.

The NMPA joined other music publishers in a $17 billion class action filed in 2003 against the company.

Bertelsmann paid a reported $60 million to Universal Music Group, and $50-$100 million to EMI to settle similar copyright litigation.

Some of the same plaintiffs also sued venture capital firm Hummer Winblad, over its $13 million investment in Napster.

The settlement between Bertelsmann and the music publishers still requires court approval, and is expected to become final in several months' time.

Related Links:
http://www.nmpa.org

http://tinyurl.com/2d39ns (DMW previous coverage)

http://www.nmpa.org/pdf/press_releases/BertelsmannComplaint02-19-2003.pdf