Rock Band Yeasayer is Suing The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar for Black Panther Copyright Infringement

Brooklyn-based rock band Yeasayer is suing The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar for copyright infringement over “Pray for Me,” which was created for and featured in 2018’s Black Panther. Brooklyn-based rock band Yeasayer is suing The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar…

How Long Will Spotify Allow Bootleg “Podcasts” to Top the Charts?

A substantial number of podcast bootleggers are delivering illegal music to Spotify users, and it’s unclear how — or if — the streaming service will stem the tide of copyright infringement and stolen royalties. According to a report from Pitchfork, a s…

Kanye West, EMI Music Publishing Officially Settle Out of Court

EMI’s on-again, off-again lawsuit with Kanye West has officially drawn to a close. According to a stipulation of dismissal submitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, the matter has been settled; a tentative agr…

Ahead of a Messy Legal Battle, GMR & RMLC File a Joint Protective Order

Ahead of their upcoming legal showdown, Global Music Rights (GMR) and the Radio Music License Committee (RMLC) have jointly filed for a protective order that will keep potentially sensitive specifics out of the public eye. According to the filing, the …

Burning Man Is Officially Suing the U.S. Government

Burning Man first filed legal paperwork against the U.S. Government in December of last year.  Now, its lawsuit has officially been set in motion. Late last year, we broke the story that Burning Man was litigating against the U.S. Department of Interio…

Vicky Cornell’s Lawsuit Against Soundgarden Drags On — Despite Talks of a Settlement

The Vicky Cornell-Soundgarden lawsuit is raging on, and all involved parties have agreed to delay proceedings until March, including extensions for both Cornell’s team and that of the defendants.  Two previous delays (both requested by the defendants) …

Apple Corps. Wins $77 Million Judgment Against Beatles Counterfeiters

U.S. District Court Judge Beth Bloom has awarded Apple Corps. $77 million in damages from an unlicensed merchandise lawsuit pertaining to Beatles gear.  Apple Corps. sued 77 individuals and small businesses that were found selling unauthorized Beatles …

Rick James Accused of Rape — 15 Years After His Death

A woman who claims to have been raped by Rick James in 1979 is suing his estate for damages. The woman’s identity has not yet been publicly revealed, and the alleged incident is said to have taken place at a group home when the woman was 15 years old. …

Federal Judge Allows Global Music Rights, Major Radio Stations to Air Their Antitrust Grievances

The legal battle between Global Music Rights (GMR) and the Radio Music License Committee (RMLC) has taken another interesting turn, as a federal judge has allowed each of their antitrust lawsuits to proceed. GMR had been attempting to dismiss the RMLC’…

Original Masters Belonging to Nirvana, Soundgarden, Elton John, Peter Frampton Destroyed In Universal Studios Fire, Universal Music Confirms

In a recent court filing from the ongoing lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), additional light was shed on the extent of the damage caused by the 2008 Universal Studios fire. Many masters, including those of Slayer, Soundgarden, Michael McDona…