Coachella and Portland Festival Organizer Settle Long-Running Radius Clause Dispute
Portland-based Soul'd Out Productions and Coachella have settled their long-standing radius clause lawsuit, according to recent court documents.
Coachella crowd during sunset performance
The dispute centered on Coachella's radius clause, which prohibits performers from playing at other North American music festivals and Southern California venues between December 15th and May 1st. Coachella defended this practice as protection against competitors "free-riding on its creative choices," while Soul'd Out argued it violated antitrust laws and created a monopoly on popular music performances.
The legal battle saw multiple developments:
- March 2019: Federal judge initially ruled in Coachella's favor
- May 2020: Appeals court overturned the decision
- Late 2020: Case dismissed with prejudice, with each party bearing their own legal fees
The sudden settlement may be linked to COVID-19's impact on the live music industry, as both festivals were canceled in 2020. With uncertain return dates for live events, continuing an expensive legal battle over radius clauses became less pressing for both parties.
The resolution comes as the live music industry shows signs of recovery, with Live Nation's stock rising 29% following positive COVID-19 vaccine trial news, signaling potential return to normal operations in 2021.
Businessman checking phone with charts
Whitney Houston performing on stage
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