Google Reaches Tentative Deal in Tin Pan Alley Copyright Suits

Google LLC has reached a tentative settlement that would resolve three copyright lawsuits brought by the heirs of prominent Tin Pan Alley songwriters in California federal court over the availability of alleged “pirate” digital copies of their music on the internet search giant’s platform.

Harold Arlen, Ray Henderson, and Harry Warren wrote musical standards including “Over the Rainbow,” “At Last,” and “I Only Have Eyes for You.” Their heirs have sued Apple, Amazon, and Google for allegedly selling unauthorized recordings of their songs from “pirate” record labels. According to the suits, these labels rip the recordings from old vinyl records ...