Portland-based Soul'd Out Productions and Coachella have reached a settlement in their long-running 'radius clause' lawsuit, according to recent court documents.

The dispute centered on Coachella's radius clause, which prevents 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 their artist selection, while Soul'd Out argued it violated antitrust laws and created a monopoly on popular music events.

Though a federal judge initially ruled in Coachella's favor in March 2019, an appeals court overturned the decision in May. The case has now concluded with both parties agreeing to dismiss the lawsuit "with prejudice, no interest, no costs, and each party to bear its own attorneys' fees."

The timing of the settlement may be linked to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on live music events. With both festivals canceled in 2020 and uncertainty surrounding live music's return, the costly legal battle likely became less pressing for both parties.

This resolution comes as the live music industry shows signs of recovery, with Live Nation's stock recently jumping 29% following positive COVID-19 vaccine news, indicating growing optimism for the return of live events in 2021.

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