Pandora has brokered a direct deal with Universal Music Publishing for publishing royalty rates - despite filing a motion in the ASCAP rate court in an attempt to block publishers from doing direct licensing deals with platforms.

Billboard reports that the UMPG deal is short-term and represents the highest rate Pandora has ever paid in publishing fees.

The motion filed by Pandora is aimed at the likes of Universal, BMG Chrysalis and Warner/Chappell, which have filed notice of withdrawing certain ...