Legal

37 posts

Billy Joel sued by musician who says he helped create ‘You May Be Right’

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Billy Joel • 3 min read

Billy Joel sued by musician who says he helped create ‘You May Be Right’

A musician who says he played drums on a demo version of Billy Joel hit ‘You May Be Right’ all the way back in 1979 has filed a lawsuit over allegedly unpaid royalties. He says his work on the song was never acknowledged or rewarded - he now wants at least $15 million in damages…

Chris Cooke • 03 Sep 2024

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Isaac Hayes • 3 min read

Republicans say Isaac Hayes copyright claim invalid and is maliciously timed political stunt designed to “disproportionately harm” Trump’s campaign

The Republican Party says that, until mid-August, its BMI licence - and that of the Donald Trump campaign - covered Isaac Hayes song ‘Hold On, I’m Coming’, and therefore claims of copyright infringement from the Hayes estate over Trump’s use of that track are invalid…

Chris Cooke • 02 Sep 2024

Hipgnosis “fraudulently induced” Barry Manilow to sell his artist royalties with “false promises”

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Barry Manilow • 4 min read

Hipgnosis “fraudulently induced” Barry Manilow to sell his artist royalties with “false promises”

Hipgnosis promised it could spark a “Copacabana dance trend” on TikTok - one of many “false promises” the company made when it snapped up rights to revenues from Barry Manilow’s recordings - and now owes Manilow $1.5 million in bonus payments, according to a lawsuit filed by the singer…

Chris Cooke & Sam Taylor • 02 Sep 2024

Playboi Carti didn’t issue malicious takedown in beat beef, court rules

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Playboi Carti • 3 min read

Playboi Carti didn’t issue malicious takedown in beat beef, court rules

Playboi Carti and Universal Music did not break US copyright rules when they issued a takedown against a track that used the same beat as one of the rapper’s songs. The takedown was invalid - because the artist behind the other track had licensed the beat - but it was not malicious, says the court…

Chris Cooke • 30 Aug 2024

Michael Rapino knew about Travis Scott’s “dangerous concert antics” says court filing as Live Nation desperately tries to avoid CEO’s deposition in Astroworld case

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Live Nation • 3 min read

Michael Rapino knew about Travis Scott’s “dangerous concert antics” says court filing as Live Nation desperately tries to avoid CEO’s deposition in Astroworld case

Although Live Nation has settled lawsuits filed by the families of those who died at the 2021 Astroworld festival, legal action continues involving those who were injured. CEO Michael Rapino has been ordered to sit for a deposition, but the live giant is working hard to stop that from happening…

Chris Cooke • 30 Aug 2024

DaBaby’s record label “disparaged, ridiculed” and exploited performers in music video says California lawsuit

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DaBaby • 2 min read

DaBaby’s record label “disparaged, ridiculed” and exploited performers in music video says California lawsuit

A performer who appeared in the video for DaBaby track ‘Couple Cubes Of Ice’ has accused the rapper’s label of violating Californian law by treating her, and others, as independent contractors when they should have been classified as employees and therefore paid the minimum wage provided by LA rules…

Chris Cooke • 28 Aug 2024

Digital replica law passed by California Senate to “protect next generation of performers” rights from AI exploitations

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AI • 2 min read

Digital replica law passed by California Senate to “protect next generation of performers” rights from AI exploitations

Law-makers in California have passed a new law that will stop studios and labels assuming that wide-ranging contract terms relating to ‘likeness rights’ mean they can generate digital replicas that imitate a performer’s voice, image or physical appearance without explicit permission…

Chris Cooke • 28 Aug 2024

Warner Chappell is “hindering” Shaboozey’s efforts to buy himself out of his deal, alleges lawsuit

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Shaboozey • 3 min read

Warner Chappell is “hindering” Shaboozey’s efforts to buy himself out of his deal, alleges lawsuit

On the back of two Beyonce co-writes and a global hit, Shaboozey wants to negotiate a new deal around his publishing. However, he first needs to buy himself out of an existing deal with Warner Chappel and, he claims, his old label is stopping him from doing that…

Chris Cooke • 27 Aug 2024

Using lyrics without permission has not caused any “irreparable harm” to music publishers says Anthropic in injunction dispute

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Anthropic • 3 min read

Using lyrics without permission has not caused any “irreparable harm” to music publishers says Anthropic in injunction dispute

Earlier this month the music publishers suing Anthropic asked the court to issue an injunction stopping the AI company from infringing their copyrights while they pursue their lawsuit. In a new filing with the court, Anthropic says no injunction is required…

Chris Cooke • 27 Aug 2024

Pandora is “scrambling” for “meritless” defences to “bury” comedians in “exorbitant legal costs”, says latest filing in comedy streaming lawsuit

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Pandora • 3 min read

Pandora is “scrambling” for “meritless” defences to “bury” comedians in “exorbitant legal costs”, says latest filing in comedy streaming lawsuit

Comedians involved in a legal battle with Pandora have criticised the streaming service’s latest arguments. They say it streamed recordings of their performances without licensing the rights in their jokes. Pandora argues its deals from the majors covered those rights - the comedians disagree…

Chris Cooke • 23 Aug 2024

Pro-Música • 1 min read

Record industry groups welcome ongoing anti-piracy work by Brazilian authorities

Record industry trade groups have welcomed recent achievements as part of the ongoing Operation 404 anti-piracy campaign being run by…

Chris Cooke • 16 Mar 2023

Operation 404 • 1 min read

Anti-piracy action in Brazil targets hundreds of websites and apps

Law enforcement agencies in Brazil have blocked or seized the domains of hundreds of websites and apps accused of utilising…

Chris Cooke • 24 Jun 2022