The Universal Music Group has resolved its legal spat with US satellite radio firm XM over its Pioneer Inno receiver.
As previously reported, the major record companies weren't too happy with the Inno device because it enables listeners to XM's music services to store tracks that have been played on the radio service in the device, and play them back on demand like an MP3 player. The labels argued that such a facility meant XM was in essence providing a download service, which wasn't covered by their broadcast licence. XM initially tried to have the case against them dismissed, arguing their service was protected under the 1992 US Audio Home Recording Act, but the courts disagreed and let the litigation continue. The legal wrangling has thus continued for much of the year.
The specifics of the deal between Universal and XM are not known, though it is known the deal relates not just to the Inno device, but to any device that offers a similar track storage system. XM remains in talks with the other major record companies and says it hopes to reach similar deals with them in the near future.