Google strikes deal with European music publishers

Google Inc. has reached a licensing deal with representatives of European music publishers, artists and composers in which the U.S. online giant and its customers will gain access to 5.5 million musical works across 35 countries from artists including Lady Gaga and Rihanna.

The accord with Armonia, the alliance of French, Italian and Spanish licensing groups, is billed as the broadest of its kind.

Catherine Kerr-Vignale of France' SACEM said said Google's rivals, such as Amazon and Apple's iTunes, have country-by-country licensing agreements. She added that the royalty for publishers and artists was in line with industry standards involving Google rivals like Amazon and Apple's iTunes. She declined to specify.

Monday's deal also includes the British and American repertoire of Universal Music Publishing and Sony's Latin works.

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