While Big Content claims that it is taking action against file sharers to protect the poor struggling musicians, it seems that this is not the case.

A judge has given the go-ahead to a $50-million settlement in a copyright infringement lawsuit brought against four Canadian record labels for unpaid royalties. Judge George Strathy of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice approved the settlement of the proposed class action in Toronto on Monday.

Craig Northey, a founding member of the Odds, which had a number of hit singles in the 1990s including “Someone Who’s Cool” and “Make You Mad” was the lead plaintiff. He took defendants, Sony Music Entertainment Canada, EMI Music Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada to court.

While you might never heard of Northey, the music studios are the same people who make regular appearances in court claiming that file sharers were stealing from musicians. It seems that Big Content think that it is its job to steal from musicians.

In this case they admit no liability. But agreed to the settlement in exchange for a full release of the plaintiffs’ claims for use of work listed on what are known in the Canadian recording industry as “pending lists.” These lists, accumulated over many years, contain works for which no licence was obtained and no compensation paid.

More here.