Steely & Clevie's Landmark Copyright Battle: Key Updates and Timeline
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Case Progresses Amidst Mixed Rulings on Motions to Dismiss
In a significant development in the music industry's legal landscape, the case filed by Steely & Clevie Productions Ltd. against numerous Reggaetón artists, producers, and record labels continues to advance through the court system. This high-stakes lawsuit centers on allegations of unauthorized use of the Fish Market Riddim, a foundational rhythm in Reggaetón music.
Key Filings and Court Decisions:
Initial Filings and Consolidation:
April 1, 2021: The first lawsuit was filed, marking the beginning of this complex legal battle.
October 19, 2021: A second lawsuit was filed, broadening the scope of the allegations.
May 16, 2022: A third lawsuit was filed and subsequently transferred to the Central District of California, setting the stage for a unified legal approach.
July 15, 2022: The court ordered the consolidation of the three cases, creating a more streamlined process for addressing the numerous allegations.
Consolidated Complaints:
July 29, 2022: Plaintiffs filed the initial Consolidated Complaint, bringing together their claims against a wide array of defendants.
September 23, 2022: The First Consolidated Amended Complaint was filed, expanding the scope to include additional works and defendants.
April 21, 2023: The Second Consolidated Amended Complaint (SCAC) The Second Consolidated Amended Complaint (SCAC) was filed, detailing allegations against a wide array of defendants, including high-profile names such as Justin Bieber, Drake, and Enrique Iglesias. This complaint elaborates on the plaintiffs' claims and specifies the copyrighted works at issue: the Fish Market sound recording, the Fish Market musical composition, the Dem Bow musical composition, and the Pounder Dub Mix II sound recording. Defendants include major entities like Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and numerous individual artists and smaller labels.
Motions to Dismiss:
October 20, 2023: The court heard arguments on the various motions to dismiss and took the matters under submission, reflecting the complex nature of the case.
November 3, 2023: Plaintiffs filed a Notice of New Case Law, introducing recent legal precedents to support their claims.
May 28, 2024: The court issued a critical order, granting in part and denying in part the motions to dismiss. This mixed ruling allows some of the claims to proceed while dismissing others.
Personal Jurisdiction:
May 28, 2024: The court denied the motions to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction filed by defendants Vladimir Felix and Camilo Echeverri. The court determined that their activities in California, such as performances and promotions, established sufficient connections to the state, allowing the case to proceed against them.
Claims for Copyright Infringement:
April 21, 2023: Plaintiffs asserted ownership of valid copyrights for the Fish Market sound recording, Fish Market musical composition, Dem Bow musical composition, and Pounder Dub Mix II sound recording. (PAGE 17, Section i)
May 28, 2024: The court acknowledged procedural issues regarding the timeliness of the Pounder Dub Mix II copyright registration but ultimately allowed the claims to move forward, underscoring the procedural complexities involved.
Derivative Works and Copyright Scope:
May 28, 2024: The court recognized that derivative works incorporating elements from Fish Market could be subject to infringement claims. However, disputes regarding the scope of the Dem Bow registration, particularly whether it includes the musical composition or just the lyrics, remain unresolved.
Timeline of Key Events:
April 1, 2021: Initial case filed.
October 19, 2021: Second case filed.
May 16, 2022: Third case filed.
July 15, 2022: Cases consolidated.
July 29, 2022: Consolidated Complaint filed.
September 23, 2022: First Consolidated Amended Complaint filed.
April 21, 2023: Second Consolidated Amended Complaint filed.
October 20, 2023: Court heard arguments on motions to dismiss.
November 3, 2023: Plaintiffs filed a Notice of New Case Law.
May 28, 2024: Court issued order on motions to dismiss.
The lawsuit filed by Steely & Clevie Productions Ltd
This legal action pushes the boundaries of copyright law, particularly concerning the fundamental rhythms underlying entire musical genres. The outcome of this case holds immense importance, as it has the potential to establish a critical legal precedent, potentially transforming the perception of rhythms and beats within copyright legislation. This could have far-reaching implications on the global landscape of music creation and distribution. For ongoing updates and in-depth analysis, visit ClapOnThree.Com. Stay informed about the latest developments in this landmark case and its implications for the music industry
References:
Cleveland Constantine Browne et al v. Rodney Sebastian Clark Donalds et al Justia Dockets & Filings
Cleveland Constantine Browne et al v. Rodney Sebastian Clark Donalds et al. Case 2:21-cv-02840-AB-AJR via Court House News
