Pandora’s Antitrust Claims Fail in Comedy Lawsuits, For Now (1)

Pandora Media LLC failed to advance allegations that a group of comedians including the estates of Robin Williams and George Carlin have monopolized the market for comedy licensing, a major blow to the music streaming giant that’s facing nine lawsuits claiming it hasn’t paid royalties to stream comedy albums.

US District Judge Mark C. Scarsi on Wednesday dismissed Pandora’s antitrust counterclaims lodged against the comedy licensing organization WordCollections Inc. and other comedians, but allowed Pandora to amend the complaint.

“The Court doubts whether Pandora can allege the necessary facts at this stage,” Scarsi noted.

If Pandora loses the cases, it ...