First off, I'd like to say I thought the title of this blog post with the picture was funny because when I found out the blog post I had to do this week dealt with legalities, I instantly thought about rapper, Lil' Wayne. It seem's like over the past couple years he's been constantly sued against over sampling issues, not paying the producer, or other song related issues. Everybody was choosing to sue Lil' Wayne as if he was a Pokemon lol. I really don't understand how artist can go about stealing another artist lyrics, not pay a producer for a beat, or not clear sampling issues over a song. It's only the 1st day of class & I've already learned a lot from this class about the importance of having legal counsel, Copyright, Trademarking, and just Entertainment Law overall.
One of the current lawsuits against Mr. Carter is with producer Darius Harrison (a.k.a. Deezle) over the sales of "Lollipop"single as well as other tracks off his Tha Carter III album. The article on MTV states that "According to TMZ, the $20 million lawsuit claims that Deezle, who says he produced "Whip It," "Prostitute 2," "Action," "Mrs. Officer" and "Let the Beat Build" as well as "Lollipop," is entitled to his cut of royalties on the reported $70 million the album has grossed on sales of 6 million copies." The article also mentions how the producer previously sued Lil' Wayne and his Young Money/Cash Money company over unpaid royalties for his "Mrs. Officer" track that featured singer, Bobby Valentino.
Lil' Wayne also currently has a lawsuit in the works over "How To Love" track off his newest album "Tha Carter IV" (Album was released today Mon. Aug. 29th), he's been sued over his Young Money Collabo track "BedRock", his "I Feel Like Dying" track, and other tracks with different producers and artists. I don't know if it's Lil' Wayne himself that's not making sure these people aren't getting their royalties, his management team, record label, or if people are wanting to just feed off the hype of Lil' Wayne but I personally think something needs to be done, that's why it's important to have legal counsel and contracts for all agreements and issues between parties.
In other Entertainment Business lawsuit news, rapper Pitbull is being sued by actress Lindsay Lohan over a lyric that Pitbull used in one of his tracks. The lyric in question states “Hustlers move in silence, so I’m tiptoein’, to keep blown’/I got it locked up like Lindsay Lohan.” In the article on Allindstrom.com it mentions how "This is part of the well-known track “Give Me Everything,” which features Ne-Yo and Afrojack" and that "Lohan, filing under Stephanie Ovadia in New York, has alleged that Pitbull & Co. are defaming and exploiting the Lohan name, while causing her distress and pain. That is why she’s demanding an injunction." Everyone in the entertainment industry knows that both music, movies, and TV use spoofs and/or lines that may have double meaning for something else. I mean what if rapper Yung Berg sued every time a rapper uses a line about him being slapped or having his chain snatched? Or Ne-Yo every time somebody talks about him being bald & always wearing Hat?? Plus what about all the Lindsay Lohan/Coke references that are used in lyrics these days? I don't see her suing Young Jeezy & Fabolous over "White Girl (Remix)", My message to Lindsay Lohan, "Get Over It!"
The next legal issue for discussion is Jay-Z & Kanye West aka "The Throne" being sued over their bonus track "The Joy" off their debut collabo album "Watch The Throne". The issue here is over a supposed uncleared sample, the article states
Veteran soul singer Syl Johnson recently came upon Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “The Joy,” included on the deluxe edition of Watch the Throne, but was surprised to hear an uncleared sample from his song “Different Strokes” used on the track.
According to an official statement from Numero Group, Island Def Jam originally contacted the label to clear the sample for a deluxe version of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. But after the deluxe version failed to surface, Johnson was shocked to see the song on WTT and the wrong copyright holders credited in the liner notes.
In my opinion, this is just like the Lil' Wayne issue, don't know if it's the artist or the label's fault but if beats are going to be sampled (Most beats contain some kind of sample), make sure the right channels are gone thru to make sure the creator of the original track that was sampled is paid. This is important because when tracks like "The Joy" and countless other tracks that use samples go on to be placed on top selling albums as well as become top charting singles, there are going to be repercussions for the artist who didn't make sure the sample was cleared.
If and When my company comes into fruition, I will make sure my clients/artist have legal counsel to help make sure all producers and samples are properly paid for, even if it means I have to contact the person myself.
Thanks for Checking Out another blog from ya boy Smilez! I'm Out!
Follow Me: @MuzikMan88
References
Lil' Wayne Sued By "Lollipop" Producer
Lindsay Lohan v. Pitbull
The Throne sued over "The Joy"
