X (formerly Twitter) has formally responded to remaining copyright infringement claims in the National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) lawsuit, following a partial dismissal of the case in March 2024.

The current lawsuit focuses on contributory claims regarding X's alleged:

• Inadequate action against repeat infringers
• Slow processing of takedown notices
• Preferential treatment for paid users in removing potentially infringing content

Key points from X's 29-page response:

• Claims to respect rightsholder rights and comply with DMCA requirements
• Acknowledges no current licensing deal with plaintiffs
• Argues any infringement was "innocent and not willful"
• States it "did not materially contribute to alleged primary infringement"
• Presents affirmative defenses, including claims about insufficient facts and time-barred elements

The case's development is significant as similar disputes, like NMPA's previous litigation against Roblox, have resulted in settlements and subsequent business partnerships. The outcome could potentially lead to a licensing agreement between X and music publishers.

The legal battle continues after recent developments:

• Initial complaint filed in June 2023 regarding 1,700 works
• Partial dismissal in March 2024 removed direct and vicarious infringement claims
• X requested and received an extension for their response deadline
• Final response submitted with complete defense arguments

This case represents an ongoing tension between social media platforms and music rights holders, with potential implications for future digital music licensing and copyright enforcement.

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