Salt-N-Pepa Appeal Dismissal of Copyright Reclaim Lawsuit Against Universal Music
Similar Articles
Newsboys and Co-Founder Sue Over Defamation and Alleged Concert Market Monopoly
Sony Music Publishing Acquires Recognition Music Group's $2 Billion Catalog
Dua Lipa Files $15 Million Lawsuit Against Samsung Over Unauthorized Image Use
Paramount and Warner Music Group Partner to Develop Films Based on Music Catalog
Mixtape Game Secures Music Licenses in Perpetuity, Publisher Denies Delisting Rumors
The hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa is appealing a January dismissal of their lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), which sought to reclaim ownership of their first four albums. The case, now before a federal appeals court, centers on whether the albums were 'works-for-hire' created under 1986 contracts. The albums remain unavailable on streaming platforms.
Facts First
- Salt-N-Pepa are appealing a dismissed lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over reclaiming copyrights to four albums.
- The group filed a copyright termination notice in 2022 for albums including 'Hot, Cool & Vicious' and 'Very Necessary'.
- UMG successfully argued the albums were 'works-for-hire' based on 1986 contracts, leading to the case's dismissal in January.
- The appeal is now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, with UMG filing a new brief this week.
- The four albums are currently unavailable on major streaming services.
What Happened
Salt-N-Pepa filed a lawsuit in May 2023 against Universal Music Group (UMG) after the label rejected their 2022 copyright termination notice. The notice sought to reclaim ownership of the group's first four albums. UMG argued the albums were created as 'works-for-hire' under contracts signed in 1986, a claim that led a court to dismiss the case in January 2024. The group has since appealed that dismissal, and the suit is now pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. UMG filed a new brief with the appeals court this week, reiterating its position that the masters were controlled by the label Next Plateau, which is now part of UMG.
Why this Matters to You
If you are a fan of classic hip-hop, this legal battle directly affects your access to Salt-N-Pepa's foundational music, as the four albums in question are currently unavailable on streaming platforms. A ruling in the group's favor could lead to these albums being re-released and made widely available again. For artists and creators, the outcome may clarify how the Copyright Act's termination right applies to recording contracts from the 1980s, potentially influencing future efforts by other musicians to reclaim control of their early work.
What's Next
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will now consider the arguments from both sides. The court's decision could either reinstate Salt-N-Pepa's lawsuit or uphold the dismissal. The ruling may set a significant precedent for how 'work-for-hire' claims are evaluated under copyright law, especially for music created in that era.