Terms of the deal have not been revealed by either parties; in all likelihood a confidentiality agreement would have been part of an agreement.
XBIZ learned of the apparent settlement in notice of dismissal filed at U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. "[The recording companies] dismiss this action without prejudice against defendants RK Netmedia Inc. and RealityKings.com," the filing said.
Reality Kings attorney and Bruce Van Dalsem and recording industry counsel David Steinberg both did not respond to XBIZ questioning on the settlement. Reality Kings officials also declined comment by post time.
The recording companies in the suit claimed that Reality Kings "not only incorporated plaintiff’s works into their videos, but then used them to draw an audience to their website and to advertise and promote their videos… encouraging their performers to lip-synch the lyrics to plaintiff’s recordings while engaged in sexual acts on-camera.”
They claim the Miami-based company poached the most-popular recordings from Madonna, Flo Rida, Gnarls Barkley, Sean Paul, Katy Perry, Bubba Sparxxx, and David Gueta.
It also said it stole musical compositions written or co-written by Michael Jackson, T.I., Katy Perry, Timbaland, Dr. Dre, Lil Wayne, Sisqo, Kelly Clarkson, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Notorious B.LG. and Usher.
Reality Kings' parent company, RK Netmedia, has sued its insurers over the claim by the 26 record companies, saying that they have not provided any assistance in their legal battle. Those suits continue in two federal courts.
