October 2024 Legal Music News
Hip-Hop Producer Madlib Sues Former Manager Egon Alapatt for Alleged Financial Mismanagement and Self-Dealing
October 31, 2024
Hip-hop producer Madlib has filed a lawsuit against his former manager, Eothen “Egon” Alapatt, in County of Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing him of serious financial mismanagement and self-dealing. Madlib claims Alapatt mishandled his music and merchandise companies, Madicine Show and Rapp Cats, using his position for personal gain by taking profits without documentation, blocking audits, and withholding access to Madlib’s music accounts. Additionally, Alapatt allegedly locked Madlib out of his branded Quasimoto accounts and directed shared resources, like lawyers and accountants, without Madlib’s consent. Madlib seeks a jury trial, dissolution of their joint business ventures, and full accounting of the alleged financial discrepancies. This lawsuit follows another from the estate of MF DOOM, Madlib’s late collaborator, which accuses Alapatt of misappropriating valuable creative materials.
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Tags: Litigation, Financial Mismanagement
Young Thug Released on Probation After Pleading Guilty in YSL RICO Case
October 31, 2024
In a surprise move after years of litigation in the YSL RICO case, rapper Young Thug (Jeffery Williams) has been released after over two years in custody. Following a guilty plea to multiple charges, including drug and firearm possession. Young Thug received a sentence of 15 years probation with no prison time. His non-negotiated plea came after declining an earlier deal, leaving sentencing to Judge Paige Reese Whitaker, who urged him to use his influence to guide young people positively.
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Tags: Litigation, RICO
Court Allows Class Action Against Live Nation Over Ticket Prices After Declaring User Agreements Unenforceable
October 31, 2024
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has ruled that Live Nation and Ticketmaster must face a class action lawsuit alleging they imposed “extraordinarily high” ticket prices on consumers. The court found that the companies’ arbitration agreements — which would have forced ticket buyers to resolve disputes privately — were “opaque, unfair, and unconscionable.” The ruling described the agreements as overly complicated, riddled with errors, and so one-sided that even Live Nation’s own lawyers struggled to explain them in court. This decision allows a 2022 class action suit to proceed, which accuses Live Nation of monopolizing the concert ticket market and engaging in “predatory” practices. It marks another major legal challenge for Live Nation, which is also facing an antitrust lawsuit from the U.S. Department of Justice aimed at potentially breaking up the company’s hold on the live entertainment industry.
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Tags: Litigation, Live Nation, Contract
Adidas and Ye Settle Legal Disputes Over Yeezy Partnership Termination
October 29, 2024
Adidas and Ye (formerly Kanye West) have reached a settlement ending all legal disputes arising from Adidas’s 2022 decision to terminate its Yeezy brand partnership over the rapper’s controversial antisemitic statements and unpredictable behavior. The breakup had left Adidas with $1.3 billion in unsold Yeezy products, leading to financial losses and even a securities fraud suit from investors. The settlement reportedly closes both public court actions and private arbitration proceedings related to Adidas’s claims that Ye’s actions damaged the brand and violated contract terms.
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Tags: Litigation, Settlement
Texas Supreme Court Rules Live Nation CEO Must Testify in Astroworld Tragedy Lawsuit
October 24, 2024
The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino must testify in ongoing litigation surrounding the 2021 Astroworld Festival disaster, where a deadly crowd surge during Travis Scott’s set led to 10 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Live Nation sought to prevent the deposition, arguing that Rapino’s role as a top-level executive kept him far removed from festival operations. However, victims’ attorneys pointed to direct involvement, including a specific email from Rapino on the night of the tragedy in which he discussed the possibility of canceling the event if fatalities reached a certain number. The court’s decision upholds an earlier ruling, allowing plaintiffs to question Rapino on his involvement in key decisions during the event.
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Tags: Litigation, Live Performance
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Sued By Photographer Over Copyright Photo of Rock Artist Van Halen
October 21, 2024
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is facing a new lawsuit over the alleged unauthorized display of a photo of rock artist Eddie Van Halen [SO1] by well-known rock photographer Neil Zlozower. The complaint, filed in the Northern District of Ohio court, claims that the Hall of Fame used a large eight-foot-tall reproduction of a black-and-white image of Van Halen in the recording studio, without obtaining the necessary license from Zlozower. This lawsuit is one of over 50 similar cases Zlozwer has filed against various major entities, including Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Ticketmaster, and others. The photographer seeks statutory damages, which could reach $150,000 per infringement if proven intentional.
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright
Jury Verdict Allows Hip Hop Group 2 Live Crew to Retake Control of Catalog Rights From Label.
October 17, 2024
In a significant legal victory, the members of the hip-hop group 2 Live Crew have successfully regained control of five of their albums, including the iconic As Nasty as They Wanna Be, after a jury in the Southern District of Florida ruled in their favor. The hip-hop group invoked copyright law’s “termination right,” which allows creators to reclaim their works decades after selling them. The lawsuit stemmed from a long-standing dispute with Lil Joe Records, which had purchased 2 Live Crew’s catalog during their label’s bankruptcy in the 1990s. Lil Joe Records claimed the group forfeited their termination right when they filed for bankruptcy. The jury however sided with 2 Live Crew noting that termination rights are inalienable. Lil Joe Records plans to appeal the case to the Supreme Court.
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright, Catalog, Verdict
Drummer from the Rock Band The Offspring Loses Appeal Against Bandmates Over Catalogue Sale Dispute.
October 10, 2024
Punk rock band The Offspring has won a legal battle against their former drummer, Ron Welty, who sought millions more from the band’s $35 million catalog sale. Welty, who played with the band during its heyday in the 1990s, claimed he was owed a larger portion of the proceeds from the 2015 catalog sale to Round Hill Music. The sale included $20 million for the band’s masters and $15 million for publishing rights, the latter paid directly to lead singer Bryan “Dexter” Holland. Welty argued he was entitled to a portion of the publishing revenue, claiming at least $2.8 million more. However, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled against Welty in 2022, stating the deal was fair, and that Holland, as the primary songwriter, rightfully received the publishing rights. The California Court of Appeals upheld this decision, rejecting Welty’s appeal.
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Universal Music Group Sues Chili’s for Using Songs by Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber & Others in Social Media Ads
October 10, 2024
Just months after the rap group the Beastie Boys filed a lawsuit against the parent company of the chain restaurant Chili’s for using their song “Sabotage” in social media ads without permission, Universal Music Group (UMG) has also sued Chili’s parent company, Brinker International, for using more than 60 songs by artists like Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and others in promotional social media videos without obtaining the necessary synchronization licenses.
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright
Singer Barry White’s Estate Files Copyright Case Over Sample in Rapper Future’s song “Like That”
October 9, 2024
Singer Barry White’s estate has filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York, alleging that the 1986 hip-hop track “Everlasting Bass” by Rodney-O & Joe Cooley infringed upon White’s 1973 hit “I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby.” The suit was filed after the duo’s song was heavily sampled in Future and Metro Boomin’s chart-topping hit “Like That,” released earlier this year. Interestingly, the lawsuit does not accuse Future, Metro Boomin, or Kendrick Lamar of wrongdoing. Instead, it claims that Rodney-O & Joe Cooley, who were credited as co-writers on “Like That,” are responsible for any infringement. The estate argues that the original 1986 song incorporated elements of White’s hit, including its iconic bass line.
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Sony Music Settles Lawsuit Against Marriott Hotels Over Alleged Copyright Infringement in Social Media Posts
October 9, 2024
Sony Music has settled its copyright lawsuit against Marriott International, in which it accused the hotel chain of using over 900 songs without permission in its social media posts. The case, filed in May 2024 in the District of Delaware, claimed Marriott’s posts exploited popular music to boost visibility. A settlement was reached on October 8, with both parties asking for the case’s dismissal with prejudice. No further details of the settlement were disclosed.
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright
Rap-Rock Band Limp Bizkit Sues Universal Music for $200M Over Alleged Royalty Underpayments
October 8, 2024
Rap-rock band Limp Bizkit has filed a major lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), seeking $200 million in damages. The band, led by Fred Durst, alleges that UMG has withheld millions in royalties owed to them over the years. The lawsuit, filed in October 2024 in the Central District of California, accuses UMG of fraudulent practices, including designing systems that obscure royalties and keep profits from artists like Limp Bizkit. Despite releasing six albums with UMG’s sub-label Interscope Records from 1997 to 2011, the band claims they haven’t received any royalties for years. Limp Bizkit also alleges that they were told by UMG that they were still $43 million away from recouping their advance, even though the band had already repaid significant amounts.
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Tags: Litigation, Royalites
Live Nation vs. DOJ Update
October 7, 2024
Judge Arun Subramanian, who is overseeing the proceedings, has denied Live Nation’s request to move the DOJ’s antitrust case against them to Washington DC. Live Nation argued a 2010 consent decree required the case to be heard in DC, but the judge ruled the current accusations go beyond that decree. Subramanian also rejected Live Nation’s claim that DC would be a more convenient venue, noting that proceedings in New York are already moving toward a trial in early 2026.
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Tags: Litigation, Ticketing, DOJ, Update
Rock Band Fleetwood Mac’s Producer Sues Broadway Show Stereophonic for Copying His Rumours Memoir
October 2, 2024
Ken Caillat, a producer of rock band Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, has filed a lawsuit against the creators of Broadway’s Stereophonic, accusing them of copying his 2012 memoir Making Rumours. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, alleges that the Tony-winning play which depicts the high tensions and heavy drug use of five musicians during a music recording session from the perspective of the sound engineer, borrows key elements from Caillat’s book and presents them without permission.
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright
Former Lawyer for El Chapo, Mariel Colón, Launches Music Career with “La Señora” Featuring Emma Coronel
October 1, 2024
Mariel Colón, who once defended Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, has transitioned into a music career, releasing the video La Señora, which stars Guzmán’s wife, Emma Coronel. The video highlights Coronel’s life after prison. Colón, who still visits her former client Guzmán says she builds rapport with his fellow inmates by serenading them when she visits three times a month.
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Tags: Lawyers in Music
Singer Lauryn Hill Hit With Lawsuit From Fugees Bandmate Pras Over Canceled Tours
October 1, 2024
Pras Michel, a member of the hip hop trio Fugees, has filed a lawsuit against fellow member Lauryn Hill, accusing her of defrauding him in connection to the group’s 2023 and 2024 tours. The suit, filed in the Southern District of New York, alleges that Hill exploited Pras’s legal troubles to lure him into a touring deal that secretly paid her more than the rest of the band, despite promises of equal compensation. He also blames Hill for the abrupt cancellation of the 2024 tour, alleging her mismanagement led to poor ticket sales. Hill has denied the accusations, stating she helped Pras financially during his legal issues and that the lawsuit omits key facts, including his advance payments.
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Tags: Litigation, Band Disputes
September 2024 Legal Music News
Rapper Snoop Dogg Finalizes Deal with Reservoir Media for Entire Catalog and More.
September 24, 2024
Rapper Snoop Dogg has struck significant new publishing administration deals with Reservoir Media, covering both his entire music catalog, future works, and the publishing rights of Death Row Records. The deal also includes legendary songs like 2Pac’s “Hail Mary” and “I Ain’t Mad At Cha”.
Snoop, who acquired Death Row Records in 2022, has been actively revitalizing the iconic label, even temporarily removing its catalog from streaming platforms before reintroducing it in early 2023. Reservoir’s deal with Snoop builds on his efforts to expand the label’s publishing arm and maintain its historical significance. This deal adds to Reservoir’s history of acquiring significant music rights, including recent acquisitions of the catalogs of Billy Strange, Big D Evans, and Mannie Fresh.
Tags: Catalog Sale
Court Denies Pop Singer Dua Lipa’s Motion to Dismiss over Copyright Infringement of “Levitating” remixes.
September 24, 2024
A copyright infringement suit against pop singer Dua Lipa and Warner Music Group over her hit song “Levitating” will proceed, following a failed attempt to have the case dismissed. Bosko Kante, a producer and talkbox artist, filed the suit last year in the Central District of California, alleging that his talkbox recording was used without permission in three remixes of the song. While Kante agreed to its use in the original version of “Levitating,” no consent was given for the remixes.
Kante is seeking at least $2 million in damages, as well as profits from the remixes, which are estimated to be at least $20 million. It is important to note that the remix featuring rapper DaBaby has surpassed the popularity of the original, amassing over 2 billion streams on Spotify.
Lipa and her team argued for dismissal, claiming that Kante had failed to show “substantial similarity” between his work and the remixes. However, U.S. District Court Judge Hernan D. Vera rejected this argument, stating that Kante’s allegation that “all or substantially all” of his voice was used was sufficient at this stage.
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright, Unauthorized Use.
T.I. and Tiny Win $71M Verdict in Lawsuit Over OMG Girlz Dolls
September 24, 2024
Atlanta rapper T.I. and his wife, Tiny, secured a $71 million jury verdict against MGA, claiming the company’s “O.M.G.” dolls copied the likeness of the OMG Girlz, a musical group created by Tiny. The creator of the dolls, Isaac Larian, argues that the dolls were note made to resemble the members of the group and that the group did not lose any business opportunities because of the toys. The jury found that MGA infringed on their trade dress and likeness rights, awarding $17.9 million in actual damages and $53.6 million in punitive damages. MGA is expected to appeal the decision.
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright, Verdict
Rapper Ice Spice Settles Copyright Lawsuit Over “In Ha Mood”
September 23, 2024
Rapper Ice Spice has reached a settlement to resolve a copyright lawsuit brought by Brooklyn rapper D.Chamberz, who alleged that her 2023 hit “In Ha Mood” was strikingly similar to his 2021 track “In That Mood.” D.Chamberz had claimed that Ice Spice’s song shared core elements with his track, including beat, lyrics, and structure. The suit was filed in the Eastern District of New York in January 2024. While the terms of the settlement were not disclosed, the agreement brings an end to the legal dispute.
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright, Settlement
Rapper Nelly Sued by St. Lunatics Members Over Alleged Unpaid Royalties and Song Credits on Country Grammar
September 19, 2024
Rapper Nelly is being sued by members of his St. Lunatics crew, who allege that they were cut out of credits and royalties for their work on his 2000 album Country Grammar. The lawsuit, which was filed in the Southern District of New York, claims that Nelly “manipulated” them into believing they would be compensated, but failed to deliver. The group is seeking credit for songs, including “Country Grammar” and “Ride Wit Me.”
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright, Songwriting Credit, Royalties
California Enacts Two Bills Strengthening the Regulation of AI Use
September 17, 2024
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills regulating the use of AI-generated digital replicas of performers, AB 2602 and AB 1836, into law at SAG-AFTRA’s headquarters. The legislation requires legal representation and specific consent for the use of a performer’s digital likeness, including deceased performers’ estates.
AB 2602 prevents contracts from allowing the use of a digital replica of a performer in place of an in-person performance unless the performer has been informed of the intended use and is represented by legal counsel or a union during negotiations. The intended use must be “reasonably specific.” AB 1836 requires entertainment employers to obtain consent from a deceased performer’s estate before using a digital replica of that person. It also refines the “expressive works” exemption in California’s postmortem right of publicity laws to address AI-generated replicas.
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Tags: AI, Legislation, SAG-AFTRA
Miley Cyrus Sued Over “Flowers” for Allegedly Copying Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man”
September 17, 2024
Miley Cyrus faces a lawsuit claiming her hit “Flowers” infringes on Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man.” The suit filed by in the Central District of California by Tempo Music Investments, alleges “striking similarities” between the two songs, beyond their lyrical parallels. Tempo Music Investments bought a share of the copyright of Bruno Mars’ song from one of the co-writers credited on the song. The suit argues that the melodies, harmonic structure, and bass-line in “Flowers” copy elements of Mars’ track.
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright
Judge Rules Donald Trump Infringed Copyright by Using Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue” in Campaign Video
September 13, 2024
Federal Judge John G. Koeltl has ruled that Donald Trump violated copyright laws by using Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue” in a 2020 campaign video without permission. The lawsuit was filed in 2020 in the Southern District of New York. Despite Trump’s claims that his campaign’s use of the song was protected under fair use, the court rejected this defense stating the video did not transform the work or parody Grant’s song. The ruling holds Trump and his campaign liable for copyright infringement, though the amount of damages owed to Grant will be decided in future proceedings.
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright, Unauthorized Use
BMI Takes SiriusXM to Court Over Low Royalty Rates
September 12, 2024
BMI has filed a lawsuit against SiriusXM, arguing the company is underpaying songwriters despite the shift toward digital streaming. The lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of New York. BMI claims that SiriusXM’s expansion into more profitable streaming services should result in higher royalty rates, as music streaming platforms generally pay more than satellite radio. For the last two years BMI and Sirius XM have been in unsuccessful negotiations. Now BMI seeks a court-ordered adjustment to reflect this business change.
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright, Unauthorized Use
Johnson & Johnson Sued Over Alleged Unlicensed Use of Music in Videos
September 9, 2024
Johnson & Johnson faces a lawsuit from Associated Production Music (APM), accusing the company of using nearly 80 unlicensed tracks in online videos. APM, a joint venture of Sony Music Publishing and Universal Music Publishing, claims that despite repeated warnings, J&J continued to use its production music without proper licensing. The lawsuit was filed in the South District of New York. APM seeks damages, with potential penalties reaching up to $150,000 per song, which could total nearly $12 million.
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright, Unauthorized Use
Rock Band, The White Stripes, Sue Donald Trump for Unauthorized Use of “Seven Nation Army” in Campaign Video
September 9, 2024
Rock band, The White Stripes, have filed a copyright lawsuit against Donald Trump for using their hit “Seven Nation Army” in a campaign video without permission. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, claims Trump’s use of the song suggests the band supports his presidential campaign, which they vehemently oppose. This legal action follows numerous other artists’ complaints against Trump for unauthorized use of their music. The band seeks damages and an injunction to prevent further use of their song. This is one of several legal actions filed against Donald Trump for the unauthorized use of music by major artists.
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright, Unauthorized Use
Verizon Seeks Dismissal of Major Labels’ Piracy Lawsuit, Calls Allegations “Legally Deficient”
September 6, 2024
Verizon is pushing to dismiss a lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York by Universal, Warner, and Sony, which alleges that the telecom giant ignored piracy on its network. On September 5, Verizon filed a motion to dismiss arguing that internet service providers should not be held liable for users’ actions, criticizing the labels’ lawsuit as following a faulty legal precedent set in prior cases. Verizon highlights a recent Supreme Court ruling that supports its position, stating that merely providing internet access doesn’t imply culpability for users’ copyright violations.
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Tags: Litigation
Spotify Granted Summary Judgment Over Eminem’s Streaming Royalties Case
September 5, 2024
Judge Aleta A. Trauger has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Eminem’s publisher, Eight Mile Style, which accused Spotify of illegally streaming the rapper’s songs without proper licensing. The suit was filed in the Middle District of Tennessee. Eight Mile Style claimed that despite Spotify’s acknowledgment of the necessity to secure rights for reproduction and distribution, they failed to comply with statutory licensing requirements and provided misleading royalty statements. Judge Trauger however ruled that Eight Mile Style deliberately allowed infringement to continue in order to build a more lucrative case. When Judge Trauger dismissed the case on summary judgment she stated “While Spotify’s handling of composer copyrights appears to have been seriously flawed, any right to recover damages based on those flaws belongs to those innocent rights holders who were genuinely harmed, not ones who, like Eight Mile Style, had every opportunity to set things right and simply chose not to do so for no apparent reason, other than that being the victim of infringement pays better than being an ordinary licensor.” The ruling also cleared Spotify of liability, stating that Kobalt, a third-party licensing company, would have actually been responsible for any damages Eight Mile Style claimed.
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Tags: Royalties, Litigation, Steaming Services
Rock Band “The Guess Who” Settle Legal Battle Over Band Name Rights
September 4, 2024
Original members of 1960’s rock band, The Guess Who, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings, have settled a lawsuit with fellow bandmates Jim Kale and Garry Peterson over the trademark rights to the band’s name. The lawsuit was filed in the Central District of California. The settlement gives Bachman and Cummings full control of the band’s name, ending a dispute where they claimed Kale and Peterson were operating a “cover band.” The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, marking the resolution of another classic rock band trademark dispute.
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Tags: Trademarks, Band Name Disputes, Settlement, Litigation
North Carolina Musician Indicted for Using AI to Commit Streaming Fraud, Earning $10M
September 4, 2024
Michael Smith, a North Carolina musician, has been indicted for using AI to generate hundreds of thousands of songs and fraudulently collect over $10 million in streaming royalties.
The federal indictment alleges Smith created bot accounts and manipulated streaming platforms to inflate plays. The indictment also claims Smith collaborated with an AI company’s CEO to create large volumes of AI-generated music, using false statements to evade detection from platforms like Spotify and the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC).
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Tags: We anticipate doing a full a blog on this issue as it develops.
Isaac Hayes Estate Wins Injunction Against Trump Campaign Over Song Use at Rallies
September 3, 2024
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction preventing former President Donald Trump and his campaign from using Isaac Hayes’ song “Hold On, I’m Coming” at rallies. This followed a lawsuit filed by Hayes’ estate in the Northern District of Georgia, accusing Trump of using the song without proper licensing. The Hayes’ estate also filed claims for copyright infringement, Lanham Act violations, and right of publicity violations.
The estate argued that the unauthorized use of the 1966 hit violated copyright and trademark laws, falsely suggesting Hayes’ endorsement of Trump’s campaign through the unlawful performance of the copyrighted work at least 133 times since 2020 at various events, with each instance constituting an unlicensed public performance.
While Judge Thomas W. Thrash, Jr, who is overseeing the case, prohibited future use of the song at rallies; he denied a broader request to remove videos featuring the song from past events. Trump’s campaign claimed it had already stopped using the song and initially relied on a blanket license from BMI, a licensing company. However, the Hayes estate said it had withdrawn the song from BMI’s catalog in June and informed the campaign.
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Tags: Copyright, Unauthorized Use
August 2024 Legal Music News
Spotify Asks Judge to Dismiss MLC Lawsuit Over Audiobook Royalty Rates
August 29, 2024
Spotify has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) in the Southern District of New York. The MLC alleges that Spotify mischaracterized its Premium service as a Bundled Subscription Offering by adding audiobook access to reduce the amount of Service Provider Revenue reported, which would subsequently reduce the royalties paid. The MLC claims that despite the addition of audiobooks, the Premium service remains essentially the same and should not be classified as a Bundled Subscription Offering for royalty calculations.
Spotify argues that the lawsuit is “meritless” and asserts that the addition of audiobooks offers substantial value to subscribers, justifying a bundled royalty rate. The MLC alleges that Spotify’s actions could lead to significant financial losses for songwriters and publishers.
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Tags: Litigation, Royalties
Journey Members Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon Agree to Appoint Neutral Party to Resolve Disputes
August 28, 2024
The rock band Journey’s bandmates Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon are entangled in a legal dispute over financial matters. The band is notorious for engaging in legal battles between the bandmates. The lawsuit, filed in Delaware Court of Chancery on July 24, involves accusations of mismanagement and unauthorized spending related to the band’s finances. This is a second case after Schon claims that Cain has restricted his access to the band’s financial records and used funds for personal expenses back in 2022. Cain sued him back a few months later claiming that the restrictions were necessary to prevent Schon from exuberant spending on the company card. This case deals more specifically with the governance of Freedom 2020 Inc., which is the Delaware-based corporate entity that operates the band’s touring. Since both members, Cain and Schon each control exactly 50% of the company, the lawsuit alleges that both have reached an impasse that has now affected the band’s operations.
As of August 28, 2024, Cain and Schon have agreed to appoint a neutral third party, Joseph R. Slights, to resolve internal disputes that have been causing operational deadlock within the band. Slights, a former Chancery Court judge, will now have the power to cast tie-breaking votes in corporate disputes. Slights will also be able to “retain advisors or professionals, including music-industry advisors, attorneys, accountants, and other professionals,” when acting as custodian.
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Tags: Litigation, Corporate Disputes, Band Disputes
Judge Rules Missy Elliott Must Face Trial Over Co-Writer Claims
August 28, 2024
Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro has ruled that the trial for a lawsuit brought by Terry Williams against Missy Elliott will proceed. Williams, a previous producer of Elliott’s claims to have co-written five of Elliott’s songs from her 1990 R&B group Sista without receiving credit. Elliott claims that four of the five allegedly co-written songs were produced and written before she had even met Williams. Judge Quiñones Alejandro dismissed claims related to the song “Heartbroken” due to the statute of limitations, noting that Williams waited until 2018 to sue, even though he claims he has known for decades that he wasn’t given credit for the co-writing. The Judge dismissed Elliott’s request for summary judgment and ordered a final pretrial conference by November 13, 2024.
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Tags: Litigation, Credit, Royalties
Joey Ramone’s Brother Sues Johnny Ramone’s Widow Over Ramones’ Legacy
August 26, 2024
In a new lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of New York, Joey Ramone’s brother, Mickey Leigh, accuses Johnny Ramone’s widow, Linda Cummings-Ramone, of violating trademark law by falsely presenting herself as the key figure in the rock band Ramones’ legacy. Both parties hold exactly half of the band’s holding company and are executors of Joey’s and Johnny’s respective estates. The legal battle initially began in January 2024 when Cummings-Ramone sued Leigh over allegations of an unauthorized Netflix biopic (this case is still pending).
Leigh alleges that Cummings-Ramone has overstepped agreements and is misleading the public about her role in the band’s history. Despite previous legal proceedings and agreements that regulate Cummings-Ramone’s use of the Ramone name, Cummings-Ramone continues to violate them.
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Tags: Litigation, Estates, Reputation and Legacy
Shaboozey Sues Warner Chappell for Breach of Contract Over Exit Clause Dispute and Ex-Label Sues Shaboozey Back for Fraud and Misrepresentation
August 26, 2024
Shaboozey, who recently gained attention with the song “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”, has filed a lawsuit against Warner Chappell in the California Superior Court, claiming the company is obstructing his efforts to exit his contract by refusing to provide necessary financial information. The case centers on an acceleration clause in his contract that allows early termination by repaying 110% of advances. Shaboozey also names his former label, Kreshendo Entertainment, as a defendant, alleging they are preventing Warner from disclosing the required details.
The dispute escalated with Kreshendo filing a countersuit in the same California Superior Court, accusing Shaboozey of using fraud and bad faith to avoid his contractual obligations after his song “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” began receiving massive public attention. The company admitted that it had released Shaboozey from his record deal in 2019 but argued that the release from the contract contained conditions, including Kreshendo owning a 50% stake in all of the singer’s compositions and retaining the right to be paid a percentage of profits from his master recordings, which Shaboozey has failed to pay.
Further Resources:
- Billboard Kreshendo Suit
- Billboard Shaboozey Suit
- Docket (Shaboozey v. Kreshendo)
- Docket (Kreshendo v. Shaboozey)
Tags: Litigation, Contracts
OutKast Sues EDM Duo ATLiens Over Trademark Infringement
August 23, 2024
The rapper duo, OutKast has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against the EDM duo ATLiens in the Northern District of Georgia for trademark infringement and unfair competition. OutKast alleges that the duo’s name is identical to OutKast’s 1996 hit song and that it confuses consumers and infringes on their trademark. OutKast claims that the EDM duo chose the ATLiens name to capitalize on the mark’s fame and goodwill. They also note that the space and alien themes in the duo’s promotional materials and merchandise further infringe on OutKast’s trademark and reinforce the likelihood of consumer confusion.
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Tags: Trademark, Litigation
Trump Campaign Deletes Video Using Beyoncé’s “Freedom” After Cease-and-Desist
August 21, 2024
Beyoncé’s label sent a cease-and-desist to Donald Trump’s campaign for using her song “Freedom” in a campaign video without permission. The video was posted by Trump Campaign’s spokesperson on X and has since been deleted. The video featured the former President along with Beyoncé’s “Freedom” playing in the background. The song has also been featured in Kamala Harris’s campaign ads, but the use in those advertisements was authorized by Beyoncé. This incident follows similar unauthorized uses of songs by Trump, including a notice of copyright infringement over Isaac Hayes’s “Hold On I’m Coming”. This news comes right after a controversial photo retweeted by Trump that included AI-generated images of Taylor Swift appearing to endorse his campaign.
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Tags: Copyright Infringement, AI, Unauthorized Use
Vans and MSCHF Settle Trademark Lawsuit Over Tyga’s “Wavy Baby” Sneakers
August 21, 2024
Vans and Brooklyn art collective MSCHF have settled a trademark lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of New York over the Tyga “Wavy Baby” sneakers. MSCHF, which has faced several trademark lawsuits, released the sneakers in 2022 in collaboration with rapper Tyga. Vans claimed the shoes were a “blatant” infringement of their iconic Old Skool shoe style. MSCHF argued their shoes were a legal parody protected by the First Amendment, claiming their design was a critique of “sneakerhead” consumer culture. The parties reached a settlement agreement on August 20, with MSCHF agreeing to a permanent injunction from selling the sneakers.
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Tags: Litigation, Trademark,
Kanye West Settles Sampling Lawsuit with Boogie Down Productions Over “Life of the Party”
August 20, 2024
Rapper Kanye West (Ye) has settled a lawsuit filed in the Southern District of New York with Phase One Network, owners of Boogie Down Productions’ copyrights, over the use of an uncleared sample in his song “Life of the Party”. The lawsuit alleged that Ye used elements of the 1986 track “South Bronx” without proper licensing. While both sides have agreed to dismiss the case and cover their own legal costs, the lawsuit continues against other defendants involved with the song’s release on the Stem Player platform. This is one of several copyright suits filed against Ye in the last couple of months, amid rumors and claims of his erratic behavior while producing and releasing music.
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Tags: Litigation, Corporation, Copyright, Illegal Sampling
Adidas Wins Dismissal of Securities Fraud Lawsuit Over Kanye West Partnership
August 19, 2024
A federal judge in the District of Oregon dismissed a class-action lawsuit against Adidas, which claimed the company violated securities laws by not disclosing issues with rapper Kanye West (Ye) before their partnership ended in 2022. The case claimed that Adidas knew about serious issues with Kanye West in 2018 but failed to disclose them to investors who faced losses due to West’s public and erratic behavior in 2022. Judge Karin Immergut who was overseeing the case noted that although the behavior was “troubling” that it had happened at Adidas, it did not rise to the level of securities fraud for Adidas to not disclose the behavior to investors.
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Tags: Litigation, Corporation, Investor Relations, Securities Fraud
Barry Manilow Sued by Hipgnosis for Alleged Breach of Catalog Deal
August 14, 2024
Iconic singer Barry Manilow has filed a lawsuit against Hipgnosis Song Fund over a dispute related to bonus payments from the acquisition of Manilow’s catalog. This case, which is filed in the Central District of California, comes in response to a case filed in London’s High Court by Hipgnosis where Hipgnosis accused Manilow of breach of contract. The California case involves allegations of breach of contract, fraudulent misrepresentation, and negligent misrepresentation. According to the complaint, Manilow alleges the original contract for the sale of his catalogue entitled him to a one-time payment of $7,500,000.00 and two additional bonuses of $750,000.00 if certain benchmarks were met. Manilow alleges despite these benchmarks being met, he has yet to receive his two additional bonuses. Hipgnosis’s public statement on the matter is that it is a routine commercial issue, emphasizing their respect for Manilow and confidence in a fair resolution.
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Tags: Litigation, Corporation, Catalog Sales, Contracts
Mariah Carey Sued for Copyright Infringement over song All I Want for Christmas Is You
August 13, 2024
A lawsuit against pop singer Mariah Carey regarding her iconic holiday hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has been dismissed. Songwriter Andy Stone also known as Vince Vance filed a second lawsuit against Mariah Carey in the Central District of California for copyright infringement claiming that the infamous song “clones” half of his own 1989 song under the same name. The original lawsuit was filed in 2022 and then dropped without prejudice: this current lawsuit has Troy Powers who is a co-writer of the song.
Carey has currently filed a motion for summary judgment arguing that Vance’s claims fail the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal’s “extrinsic test for substantial similarity in protectable expression”. She also claims that the similarities between the two songs are unprotectable elements because they are “fragmentary and commonplace building blocks of expression that Vance and Carey use differently in their overall different lyrics and music”
Further Resources:
- Billboard
- Docket
- Complaint
- Vince Vance & The Valiants – “All I Want for Christmas Is You”
- Mariah Carey – “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
Tags: Litigation, Copyright,
Pitbull Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Copying of I Feel Good Track
August 9, 2024
Pop singer Pitbull is being sued for allegedly copying elements of an earlier track in his song I Feel Good. The case, filed in the Southern District of New York, claims that significant parts of the song were taken from All Surface Publishing’s song “Samir’s Theme” without permission. All Surface Publishing alleges both songs feature similarities in melody, harmony, melodic structure, tempo, musical arrangement and percussion. They also allege that Pitbull and the producer of the infringing track, DJ White Shadow had access to the track when All Surface Publishing sent the “Samir’s Theme”directly to DJ White Shadow in 2011.
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright, Illegal sampling
Beyoncé Cleared in “Break My Soul” Sample Lawsuit as Accusers Drop Case
August 8, 2024
The lawsuit accusing Beyoncé of using an unauthorized sample in “Break My Soul” has been dropped by the plaintiffs. The case, filed in the Eastern District of Louisiana, was filed by the members of the Da Showstoppaz over the alleged infringement of their 2022 song “Release A Wiggle”. They claim that although Beyoncé had legally sampled from a different song called “Explode” by rapper Big Freedia, Big Freedia had actually illegally sampled several key lyrics from them. Da Showstoppaz argue these key lyrics were unique phrases that should be eligible to copyright protection. However, the case was voluntarily dismissed and did not end up going to trial.
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Tags: Litigation, Copyright, Illegal sampling
TikTok Sued by U.S. Justice Department Over Children’s Data Privacy
August 2, 2024
The U.S. Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging violations of children’s data privacy laws. The complaint was filed in the Central District of California. The lawsuit claims that TikTok collected personal information from minors without proper parental consent, contravening the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The Justice Department is seeking penalties and measures to ensure compliance with privacy laws. This legal action highlights the growing scrutiny of social media platforms and their handling of user data, especially concerning minors.
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Tags: Litigation, DOJ, Social Media, FTC
Juice WRLD’s Estate Faces Lawsuit Over “Girl of My Dreams” Royalties
August 1, 2024
The estate of Juice WRLD is being sued over unpaid royalties for the song “Girl of My Dreams”. by the producer Joshua Jaramillo. The lawsuit was filed on July 31 in the California Superior Court where Jaramillo alleges he was promised a 5% ownership stake and an additional 1% producer royalty and has yet to be paid. The song was released on Juice WRLD’s posthumous 2021 album with collaboration of Suga from BTS. This is the second case against Juice’s estate in the last year.
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Tags: Litigation, Royalties
July 2024 Legal Music News
StubHub Sued Over “Junk Fees” in Ticket Prices by DC Attorney General.
July 31, 2024
StubHub is being sued by the District of Columbia over allegations of deceptive pricing practices, specifically the inclusion of “junk fees” that inflate ticket prices. The lawsuit claims StubHub misleads consumers by not disclosing the full price of tickets upfront, violating consumer protection laws. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb accuses StubHub of violating the District’s consumer protection laws. This case emphasizes the growing scrutiny on transparency in ticket sales and consumer rights along with the DOJ’s case against Live Nation-Ticketmaster which highlights consumer harm through hidden fees.
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Tags: Litigation, Ticketing, StubHub
The 1975 Sued Over Onstage Kiss at Malaysian Music Festival
July 30, 2024
The 1975 is facing a lawsuit following frontman Matty Healy’s onstage kiss with a bandmate at a Malaysian music festival, which led to the event being shut down. The festival organizers, Future Sound Asia, filed the lawsuit in a UK’s High Court, demanding $2.4 million over the July 2023 incident in Kuala Lumpur claiming the incident violated local laws and caused financial losses. The organizers seek damages for breach of contract and disruption caused by the band’s actions. According to Billboard, the case claims that local authorities initially refused to let The 1975 play at during the festival due to Healy’s drug problems. However, Future Sound claims that the band appealed and promised that Healy would adhere to “all local guidelines and regulations” in order to secure approval for being able to perform. They also claim that Future Sounds faced financial ruin because the festival was shut down in response to Healy’s actions.
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Tags: Litigation, Contract Violation, International News, Artist Conduct
SoundExchange Sues AccuRadio for Unpaid Royalties
July 22, 2024
SoundExchange has filed a lawsuit against AccuRadio, accusing the internet radio service of failing to pay royalties for music streamed on its platform. The complaint, lodged in the Northern District of Illinois, seeks to recover unpaid fees and enforce compliance with licensing agreements. SoundExchange alleges that AccuRadio has neglected its obligations under the statutory licensing regime, impacting artists’ and rights holders’ earnings starting in 2018. AccuRadio CEO responded to the lawsuit claiming the legal action was a “complete surprise” as he claims the company was in negotiations with SoundExchange.
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Tags: Litigation, Royalties, Unauthorized Use
NBA Teams Sued by Kobalt Over the Use of Copyrighted Music in Social Media Videos
July 22, 2024
Kobalt Music Publishing has filed a lawsuit against several NBA teams, alleging unauthorized use of copyrighted music in social media videos. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, claims that teams used songs from Kobalt’s catalog without proper licensing, seeking damages and an injunction to prevent further infringement. The teams facing suits are the Knicks, 76ers, Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, the Denver Nuggets, the Indiana Pacers, the Miami Heat, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the New Orleans Pelicans, the Orlando Magic, the Phoenix Suns, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Sacramento Kings, and the San Antonio Spurs. Kobalt Music alleges the teams used copyrighted music in their social media posts for the purpose of commercial and promotion which would require a different sync license than the ones automatically provided through using music approved on Instagram or TikTok platforms. This case underscores the importance of securing appropriate permissions for music use in digital content and the ongoing legal challenges faced by sports organizations in managing intellectual property within advertising on social media.
Further Resources:
- Billboard
- Docket
Tags: Copyright, Litigation, Social Media, Unauthorized Use
Estate of Michael Jackson Tentatively Wins Court Battle Over Music Catalog Sale
July 18, 2024
The Estate of Michael Jackson has secured a tentative legal victory in its fight to sell a portion of the late artist’s music catalog. A California State Appeals court ruled in favor of the estate, allowing the sale of $600 million to proceed despite objections from Katherine Jackson. The decision is expected to lead to a substantial financial transaction, with potential buyers interested in acquiring the rights to Jackson’s extensive catalog. This ruling marks a significant step in the ongoing management and monetization of the legendary artist’s legacy.
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Tags: Estate Dispute, Catalog Sale
Kanye West Sued Over Alleged Uncleared Sample on Donda
July 17, 2024
Kanye West (Ye) is facing a lawsuit for allegedly using an uncleared sample on his album Donda. The complaint, filed in a Central District of California federal court, claims that West’s songs Hurricane and Moon contains a sample from the plaintiffs’ track without proper authorization. The complaint alleges that when Ye was refused a license to use elements from a song called MSD PT2 he opted to use the elements anyways. This is the second allegation of similar nature in the last several months against Ye, including a suit filed by the Estate of Donna Summer. The plaintiffs are seeking damages for copyright infringement and an injunction to halt the distribution of the infringing track.
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Tags: Copyright, Unauthorized use, Sampling, Litigation
Snoop Dogg Sued for Alleged Use of Uncleared Backing Tracks on BODR Album
July 17, 2024
Snoop Dogg is facing a lawsuit alleging he used uncleared backing tracks on his album BODR. The complaint, filed in the Central District of California, claims that two tracks on the album contain samples from songs owned by the plaintiff, who did not grant permission for their use. The plaintiff is a well-known studio musician, Trevor Lawrence Jr., who claims he created two backing tracks for Snoop to “experiment with” in the studio but specified that the use of the backing tracks on any published music would require a fee and ongoing royalties. Snoop used the backing tracks on his songs Pop Pop and Get This Dick, but no licensing deal was made for the use of the tracks. Lawrence’s licensing requirements were a $10,000 flat fee producer advance and a 50% interest in the underlying musical composition. He has filed for copyright infringement and an injunction to prevent further distribution of the infringing tracks.
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Tags: Copyright, Unauthorized use, Sampling, Litigation
Major Labels Sue Verizon Over Alleged Music Piracy
July 15, 2024
Universal, Warner, and Sony have filed a lawsuit against Verizon, accusing the telecom giant of facilitating music piracy by failing to prevent illegal downloads.
Filed in the Southern District of New York federal court, the lawsuit claims Verizon’s inaction has resulted in substantial financial losses for the labels. The labels accuse Verizon of infringing more than 17,000 songs meaning a judge could award the maximum penalty for each of those songs which could total more than $2.5 billion of damages. The plaintiffs seek damages and an injunction to compel Verizon to implement more stringent anti-piracy measures. This case comes in the wake of a landmark case where a federal jury in Virginia awarded BMG $1 billion for Cox’s vicarious copyright infringement, although that case is currently under appeal for the calculation for damages.
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Tags: Copyright, Royalties, DMCA, Litigation
Beastie Boys Sue Chili’s Over Unauthorized Use of Sabotage in Ad
July 11, 2024
The Beastie Boys have filed a lawsuit against Chili’s Grill & Bar for allegedly using their song Sabotage in a commercial without permission. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, claims that Chili’s used a modified version of the song, infringing on the band’s copyright and trademark rights. The Beastie Boys seek damages and an injunction to stop the ad.
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Tags: Copyright, Unauthorized Use, Litigation
Nirvana and Marc Jacobs Settle Smiley Face Logo Lawsuit
July 10, 2024
Nirvana LLC and fashion designer Marc Jacobs have settled their lawsuit over the unauthorized use of Nirvana’s iconic smiley face logo. The dispute began in 2018 when Nirvana accused Marc Jacobs of infringing on their trademark by using the logo on a line of t-shirts. After the initial dispute began, the former art director of Geffen records joined the case claiming that the iconic smiley logo was not created by Kurt Cobain but instead by himself. Although Nirvana’s lawyer has continued to hold that Cobain was the original creator of the iconic logo, he notes that even if the formed art director did create the logo, it would still be considered a “work for hire” and thus the label would retain the right to the image. Judge John A. Kronstadt ruled against Fisher’s argument that he had rights within the creation of the logo which he later appealed.
A notice was filed in the Central District of California, from the attorneys representing Nirvana, Geffen Records art designer, and Marc Jacobs accepting a mediator’s proposal to end the legal battle. Although details of the settlement have not been disclosed, the attorneys told Judge Kronstadt they would formalize the settlement agreement within 21 days.
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Tags: Copyright, Logo Dispute, Settlement, Litigation
UPDATE: Philadelphia Wedding Band Drops Trademark Lawsuit Against Jelly Roll
July 9, 2024
A Philadelphia wedding band has dropped its trademark lawsuit against country-rapper Jelly Roll. The band had claimed trademark infringement, alleging that Jelly Roll’s use of the name was causing confusion and harming their business. The case’s dismissal marks a resolution in favor of Jelly Roll, allowing him to continue using the name without legal hindrance.
The Philadelphia band Jellyroll claimed they have been using the name since 1980 and the country-rapper notes that Jelly Roll was a nickname he was given as a child. Both musical acts peacefully co-existed until Jelly Roll’s break onto the Billboard Hot 100.
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Tags: Trademark, Name Dispute
New Copyright Rule Changes Impact Streaming Royalties and Termination Rights
July 9, 2024
A proposed rule change by the U.S. Copyright Office significantly affects streaming royalties and termination rights for artists. The new rule will overturn an early policy put in place by the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) which allowed streaming companies to continue to get money even if a songwriter recalled their ownership.
The creation of MLC’s blanket license for streaming royalties enacted by the Music Modernization Act in 2018 caused significant confusion related to termination-rights. The exception of termination rights relating to derivative works that allowed publishers to collect fees for such works created under existing licenses created ambiguity in conjunction with the MLC.
This means that if a songwriter terminated their publisher’s control of their music, anyone who had purchased a blanket license from the MLC technically had an existing license in place with the publishers and the copy of the song on the streaming platform would be considered a derivative work under the expectation. Thus, the streaming service could continue to collect fees despite the songwriter terminating the rights of the publisher.
In October 2022, the Copyright Office highlighted the injustice to songwriters and proposed a new rule essentially stating that when a songwriter gets their rights back, they should also get the royalties that come along with it.
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Tags: Legislation, Royalties, Songwriters, Copyright
Indie Venues Mobilize for Ticketing Reform Legislation on July 9
July 8, 2024
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) rallied fans and professionals to lobby Congress and the White House on July 9 for ticketing reform. This initiative, part of the Fix the Tix Coalition, supports the Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act and the Senate’s Fans First Act. Both bills aim to ban speculative ticket listings, enforce all-in pricing, and enhance consumer protections. Additionally, the Fans First Act would also require resellers like StubHub and SeatGeek to disclose seat locations on their resale listings as well as ban scalpers from using fan clubs and include greater consumer protections for canceled events. The U.S. House passed the TICKET Act on May 15, and it is now before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. NIVA urges collective action to push for legislative changes by the end of 2024.
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Tags: Ticketing, Legislation, Reform, Lobbying
Cardi B Sued by Producer Duo Over Alleged Unauthorized Song Use
July 5, 2024
Cardi B has been sued for copyright infringement by producers Joshua Fraustro and Miguel Aguilar, who produce under the name Kemika1956, in the Southern District of Texas. They allege that Cardi B used their track Greasy Frybread in her single Enough (Miami) without permission. The lawsuit also names producers OG Parker, DJ SwanQo, Celebrity Booking Agency, Atlantic Records, and Warner Music Group as defendants.
Enough (Miami) was released March 15, 2024, through Atlantic Records and Greasy Frybread was released November 9, 2021, via Tattoo Musik Group Studios.
The producer plaintiffs are requesting statutory damages; a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to prevent further infringement, followed by a permanent injunction; a court order requiring the defendants to recall and destroy all infringing copies of the work; and declaratory relief establishing the plaintiffs’ alleged ownership of the copyrighted material in question.
This is another major copyright case thrown Cardi B’s way, following the previous case against her and Megan Thee Stallion for their popular song WAP. In that case a federal judge in the Southern District of New York tossed the case ruling the lyrics the duo was accused of copying were not original enough to be covered by copyright law.
Further Resources:
- Billboard
- Complaint
- Rolling Stone
- Enough (Miami) -Cardi B
- GreasyFrybread -Kemika1956
- WAP lawsuit victory
- Docket for “WAP”
Tags: Litigation, Copyright,
Warner Music Issues Legal Warning to AI Companies Over Data Scraping
July 3, 2024
Warner Music Group has warned AI companies against scraping its data without authorization, highlighting the legal implications of using its copyrighted material for training AI models. Following the example of Sony, both companies have sent letters to over 700 tech companies warning them to not use their respective labels’ music to train AI without their permission.
The company is taking a proactive stance to protect its intellectual property and ensure compliance with copyright laws. This warning reflects the increasing tension between the music industry and AI developers, emphasizing the need for proper licensing agreements. Warner Music is prepared to pursue legal action to enforce its rights and safeguard its data.
Further Resources
Tags: AI, Label, Company Statements
Judge Orders U.S. Government Review of Rapper B.G.’s Future Lyrics:
July 2, 2024
U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan of Eastern District of Louisiana ruled that all future lyrics by rapper B.G. must be reviewed by the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services before release, citing concerns over his criminal history and potential incitement of violence. Judge Morgan emphasized balancing First Amendment rights with security. This decision aligns with parole conditions that restrict speech to ensure public safety; B.G. is still allowed to release new music, but it must be reviewed by the U.S. Probation Office before promoting or producing them.
Another restriction of B.G.’s parole is that he needs prior permission from the court before associating with fellow musical acts that also have felony convictions on their record. B.G. was arrested in March 2024 for performing alongside Lil Boosie, who also has a felony conviction and in December B.G. collaborated with Gucci Mane, who also has a felony conviction. Both incidents were cited in court by the U.S. Probation Office.
This ruling has sparked significant debate within the legal and music communities, especially regarding the RAP ACT which hopes to prohibit courts from using rap lyrics as evidence against musicians themselves during criminal proceedings.
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Tags: Censorship, Rap, RAP ACT, First Amendment