Music industry legal news

Fred Durst’s bid to cancel old Universal deals will have to be fought out in state courts, says federal judge

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Limp Bizkit • 2 min read

Fred Durst’s bid to cancel old Universal deals will have to be fought out in state courts, says federal judge

Crucial elements of Fred Durst’s big legal battle with Universal Music over allegedly unpaid royalties will have to be fought out in state courts, not the federal court where he filed his lawsuit, a judge has ruled. That includes the musician’s attempt to cancel three old contracts with the major…

Chris Cooke • 20 Mar 2025

Let’s not take a wrecking ball to copyright, says judge in Miley Cyrus ‘Flowers’ song-theft case

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Miley Cyrus • 6 min read

Let’s not take a wrecking ball to copyright, says judge in Miley Cyrus ‘Flowers’ song-theft case

Miley Cyrus is trying to get a lawsuit dismissed which claims that her hit ‘Flowers’ rips off a Bruno Mars song. She argued that the investment company that sued her doesn’t have any exclusive rights in the Mars song, despite acquiring a share of the copyright. A judge has now rejected that argument…

Chris Cooke • 19 Mar 2025

Another big ISP wants the US Supreme Court to intervene in its piracy battle with the majors

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Grande Communications • 3 min read

Another big ISP wants the US Supreme Court to intervene in its piracy battle with the majors

US ISP Grande, which lost a $47 million legal battle with the major record companies over its failure to deal with its music pirating customers, wants the US Supreme Court to review the case. It’s the second ISP to ask the Supreme Court to intervene on the copyright liabilities of internet companies…

Chris Cooke • 19 Mar 2025

As the next TikTok ban approaches in the US, is a revamp of Oracle’s 2020 deal likely to save the app?

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TikTok • 3 min read

As the next TikTok ban approaches in the US, is a revamp of Oracle’s 2020 deal likely to save the app?

TikTok is set to be banned in the US on 5 Apr unless it is sold by China-based owner ByteDance. Negotiations for a sale are very much underway in the White House, including a deal involving Oracle, though it’s not clear that deal will be approved by China, or supported by Republicans in Congress…

Chris Cooke • 18 Mar 2025

Cardi B beat theft accusers forgot to register composition with US Copyright Office, says Atlantic

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Cardi B • 3 min read

Cardi B beat theft accusers forgot to register composition with US Copyright Office, says Atlantic

Atlantic Records wants a lawsuit that says Cardi B’s ‘Enough (Miami)’ ripped off an earlier track dismissed, because the earlier work wasn’t registered with the US Copyright Office, and an amended lawsuit trying to circumvent the registration issue by making a state law claim is invalid…

Chris Cooke • 17 Mar 2025

Iggy Azalea slams Universal Music as “criminals” and the “scummiest company” which “actively takes advantage” of artists

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Iggy Azalea • 3 min read

Iggy Azalea slams Universal Music as “criminals” and the “scummiest company” which “actively takes advantage” of artists

Iggy Azalea is involved in a dispute with Universal Music over millions in allegedly unpaid royalties. She says she’ll be fine because she can afford lawyers, but the record company “does this to so many artists” who can’t afford to fight, which means too often “they get away with this behaviour”…

Chris Cooke • 17 Mar 2025

Reggaeton singer Karol G accused of beat theft on 2022 track ‘Gatúbela’

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Karol G • 2 min read

Reggaeton singer Karol G accused of beat theft on 2022 track ‘Gatúbela’

Reggaeton star Karol G has been accused of ripping off an existing beat when making her track ‘Gatúbela’. Beatmaker Alfr3d Beats reckons it was ‘Gatúbela’ producer DJ Maff who accessed his beat on YouTube and then used it without permission, alleging that he admitted as much in an Instagram exchange…

Chris Cooke • 14 Mar 2025

University Of Southern California sued over uncleared music in sporty TikTok posts

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Sony Music • 2 min read

University Of Southern California sued over uncleared music in sporty TikTok posts

Another lawsuit has been filed over the uncleared use of music in TikTok and Instagram videos, because brands are not covered by the platforms’ general music licences. This time Sony is suing the University Of Southern California which used unlicensed tracks in videos promoting its sports teams…

Chris Cooke • 13 Mar 2025

Defamation lawsuit filed by former R Kelly assistant over Lifetime documentary fails because ‘Good Morning America’ appearance made her a public figure

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R Kelly • 3 min read

Defamation lawsuit filed by former R Kelly assistant over Lifetime documentary fails because ‘Good Morning America’ appearance made her a public figure

US broadcaster Lifetime was sued for defamation by a former PA to R Kelly, who claimed its ‘Surviving R Kelly’ programme portrayed her in a “sinister and defamatory light”. However, a judge has dismissed the case, claiming that the PA failed to demonstrate that Lifetime acted with “actual malice”…

Chris Cooke • 13 Mar 2025

Brazilian music publisher trade body must respond to antitrust concerns this week

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UBEM • 3 min read

Brazilian music publisher trade body must respond to antitrust concerns this week

Legal experts in Brazil say that an investigation into the role of Brazilian music publishing body UBEM in negotiating licensing deals for its members could have major implications for mechanical rights licensing in the country. UBEM must respond to Brazil’s competition regulator by this weekend…

Chris Cooke • 12 Mar 2025

NewJeans bumper PowerPoint doesn’t convince judge as court tells band to present stronger evidence for claims against Ador

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NewJeans • 3 min read

NewJeans bumper PowerPoint doesn’t convince judge as court tells band to present stronger evidence for claims against Ador

A court in Seoul last week considered a request by HYBE agency Ador for an injunction stopping NewJeans from entering into new deals while it pursues legal action to enforce its contract with the group. The judge told NewJeans to restructure their list of reasons for terminating their Ador deal…

Chris Cooke • 11 Mar 2025

Ultra vs Sony row continues as Moxey says “this is not about revenge”

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Ultra Music Publishing • 3 min read

Ultra vs Sony row continues as Moxey says “this is not about revenge”

Sony’s copyright battle with Patrick Moxey’s Ultra Music Publishing continues. The major claims that Moxey’s copyright lawsuit was filed in revenge after it sued him for trademark infringement. In a new filing, Ultra doubles down on its copyright claims and insists revenge has nothing to do with it…

Chris Cooke • 11 Mar 2025

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