A United States federal judge has reversed an earlier ruling that would have sent a copyright case over reggaeton’s dembow rhythm to trial, handing Bad Bunny a key legal win.
The case, filed in 2021 by reggae duo Steely & Clevie, claims the duo essentially invented the dembow rhythm, a “boom-ch-boom-chick” beat heard in nearly all reggaeton songs. The lawsuit names Bad Bunny, Karol G, Daddy Yankee and dozens of other artists, covering nearly 2,000 songs that allegedly used the beat without permission.
This summer, a judge ruled the case must go to trial. Critics warned that a victory for Steely & Clevie could require anyone using reggaeton’s signature beat to pay a licensing fee, potentially giving the duo control over an entire musical genre.
Last week, the same judge reversed that decision, citing Bad Bunny’s argument that Steely & Clevie were improperly claiming a “Frankenstein copyright” over the dembow rhythm.
Other music law developments#
- Lil Durk‘s murder-for-hire trial wrapped up after the defense presented its case, including calling a witness who called the key government cooperator a “liar and a thief.” A verdict could be issued this week.
- Sean “Diddy” Combs could be released from prison earlier than expected, according to federal inmate records that showed his release date was moved up.
- A judge also ruled that Combs can pursue defamation claims over a NewsNation broadcast suggesting he laced baby oil with drugs to incapacitate alleged victims.
- AEG, a rival of Live Nation, urged a federal judge to reject the Department of Justice‘s antitrust settlement with the live entertainment giant and instead order it to sell Ticketmaster.
- The Trump administration sided with artificial intelligence firms in a first-ever court filing arguing they are shielded from lawsuits when they use millions of copyrighted works to build their models.
- Alanis Morissette filed a lawsuit claiming she is the victim of a “calculated blackmail campaign” by her former tour manager Keren Urinov, an Israeli live music executive.
