Partners Ilene Farkas, James Sammataro and Don Zakarin were all recognized on Billboard's annual list of "2019 Top Music Lawyers." The winners are chosen by editors "based on factors including, but not limited to, nominations by peers, colleagues and superiors at selected major music companies, live music promoters, digital and streaming companies, and law firms."
Zakarin noted that Pryor Cashman "has been at the forefront of the protection of writers and publishers," and Billboard specifically highlighted the firm's work on behalf of publishers and songwriters in the successful Copyright Royalty Board action to raise mechanical royalty rates for interactive streaming. Billboard also highlighted Pryor Cashman's efforts in building the industry consensus group that has formed the Mechanical Licensing Collective under the Music Modernization Act.
Ilene Farkas was specifically lauded for her defense against copyright infringement suits involving clients Ed Sheeran and Roc Nation, related to their "Thinking Out Loud" and "All the Way Up" singles.
Billboard also noted Sammataro's work on behalf of Enrique Iglesias, as well as Sony Music Entertainment, Spotify, The Orchard, Shazam, Amazon, Deezer and the Spanish Broadcasting System.
The fill list of winners and the Billboard feature can be found here.
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