Slacker CEO Fails to Escape Sony Music Copyright Suit

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The CEO of music streaming service Slacker Inc. and its parent company LiveOne Inc. failed to convince a New York federal judge to remove himself from a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Sony Music Entertainment. The court ruled that there was sufficient evidence to establish jurisdiction and viable claims against CEO Robert Ellin personally, not just in his official capacity, for allegedly withholding millions owed to Sony under a licensing agreement and continuing to use Sony's music after the deal was terminated.

Why it matters

This case highlights the legal risks company executives can face when their businesses are accused of copyright infringement. The court's decision means Ellin could be held personally liable for damages, in addition to potential penalties against the companies he leads.

The details

Sony Music Entertainment sued Slacker Inc. and LiveOne Inc., alleging the companies, under the direction of CEO Robert Ellin, withheld millions owed to Sony under a licensing agreement and continued using Sony's music library after the deal was terminated. The court ruled there was sufficient evidence to establish jurisdiction and viable claims against Ellin personally, not just the companies, for these alleged actions.

• The copyright lawsuit was filed in 2026.

What’s next

The case will now proceed to trial, where the court will determine if Ellin and the companies are liable for copyright infringement and the extent of any damages.