Attorney General Jon Bruning

News Release

                        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    Contact: Holley Hatt

                        September 18, 2007 2:30pm CDT                                             402.471.2067

Bruning Presents $9, 046.70 Check to Shelton Public Schools for Music Programs

(Lincoln, NE) Attorney General Jon Bruning today presented $9, 046.70 in consumer settlement funds to Shelton Public Schools for development of music education programs. The money will be used to purchase risers, instruments and music for Shelton elementary, middle school and high schools students.

“The best way to enrich the culture of music is to support music education in our schools,” Bruning said. “Our future composers and artists deserve the best education we can provide.”

The funding stems from a 2004 anti-trust settlement involving major companies in the music industry. The defendants were distributors Bertelsmann Music Group, Inc, EMI Music Distribution, Warner-Elektra-Atlantic Corporation, Sony Music Entertainment, Inc., and Universal Music Group, as well as retailers Transworld Entertainment Corporation, Tower Records and Musicland Stores Corp., which owns Sam Goody. The complaint alleged these companies entered into illegal conspiracies to raise the price of pre-recorded music in the late 1990’s. The lawsuit was filed privately on behalf of Nebraska consumers in 2000, along with actions by 30 other states.

Under the settlement, the music distributors and retailers agreed to pay $143 million in restitution to consumers nationwide and provide music CDs free of charge to states involved in the action. In 2004, Bruning distributed over 28,500 CDs to every library and public school across the state and 5,000 CD’s to Nebraska National Guard Troops serving in the Middle East.

The music companies were unable to return over $3.7 million in restitution to consumers. That amount was distributed among the participating states on a pro rata basis. Nebraska’s share is approximately $28,000.

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An audio clip about the presentation is posted on the Attorney General’s Web site at www.ago.state.ne.us.