Ford, GM Beat Dashboard CD-Ripping Copyright Royalty Case

Ford Motor Co., General Motors LLC, Fiat Chrysler, and three car parts manufacturers beat claims that they owe musicians royalties for music copied by a dashboard device that rips CDs to a vehicle’s hard drive.

A 1992 law addressing digital audio tape copying doesn’t apply to the CD-ripping devices, a Washington federal appeals court said Tuesday.

The Alliance of Artists & Recording Cos. sued the carmakers and parts manufacturers for violating the Audio Home Recording Act of 1992. AARC argued the carmakers’ CD-ripping devices are “digital audio recording devices” covered by the AHRA, and that they violated ...