Universal Music Group (UMG), the owner of Republic Records, has settled a trademark lawsuit against a music investment platform called Republic. UMG filed the lawsuit in 2021, alleging that Republic's expansion into music royalties investing was confusing consumers into thinking Republic Records was involved. A federal judge dismissed the case last week, stating that all claims had been settled. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Republic, launched in 2016 by OpenDeal Inc.
, allows users to invest in various sectors, including startups, cryptocurrency projects, and music royalties through NFTs. UMG, which acquired Republic Records in 2000, argued that the similar names and services could lead to consumer confusion. However, in July 2022, the judge ruled that UMG was unlikely to prove such allegations in court, citing minimal evidence of confusion and significant differences in the services and consumer base of the two companies