# Triller ordered to pay Merlin more than $3.2M in default judgment over unpaid licensing fees

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/triller-ordered-to-pay-merlin-more-than-3-2m-in-default-judgment-over-unpaid-licensing-fees/
- Published: 2026-07-16T10:29:04+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-27T06:14:22+00:00
- Original publisher: Music Business Worldwide
- Original article: https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/triller-ordered-to-pay-merlin-more-than-3-2m-in-default-judgment-over-unpaid-licensing-fees/
- Topics: Americas, World

## Key points

- Triller must pay Merlin over $3.2m after ignoring the lawsuit
- Dispute centred on a breached "most favoured nation" licensing clause
- Adds to Triller's mounting legal, financial and Nasdaq troubles

## Summary

A US federal court has ordered Triller Group Inc. to pay music licensing body Merlin more than $3.2 million after failing to respond to a lawsuit over unpaid fees. Judge Jeannette A. Vargas of the Southern District of New York issued the default judgment on 9 July after Triller did not oppose Merlin's motion, adding to a lengthening list of legal and financial troubles for the beleaguered social video platform.

The judgment comprises $2,550,000 in the original claim, $667,636.36 in pre-judgment interest, and $717.05 in costs, plus post-judgment interest still to accrue. Merlin, which represents independent labels and distributors, had alleged Triller breached a 2020 licensing deal's "most favoured nation" clause by giving another company, reportedly Sony Music, better rates without compensating Merlin accordingly. The case follows a string of setbacks for Triller, including lawsuits from Universal Music Group and a Yorkville Advisors-controlled hedge fund, a 2024 SEC filing disclosing over $23 million in unpaid licensing fees, a Nasdaq trading suspension later overturned, a 1-for-10 reverse stock split, and a reported $174.5 million net loss for 2025.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.