RMLC Says DOJ Antitrust Division Has No Interest in GMR Case

The Antitrust Division doesn’t have actual interest in Global Music Right’s lawsuit against the Radio Music License Committee, and DOJ’s Dec. 5 filing (in Pacer) siding with GMR is “puzzling,” RMLC responded (in Pacer) Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. The long-running proceeding concerns GMR allegations that RMLC operates anticompetitively, as a “cartel.” Justice’s argument RMLC misstated laws against price fixing and that buyer-side price fixing is as pernicious as the sales version isn’t related to GMR’s argument, RMLC said. DOJ’s contention arbitration would be unlawful contradicts recent department arguments in favor of arbitration over litigation, RMLC said. "Private, civil enforcement is an important supplement to the United States’ efforts to eliminate these unlawful practices," said DOJ. “Even if the Court were to credit in full everything the Division has said, granting RMLC’s motion for judgment on the pleadings would still be warranted,” the committee said.