copyright lawsuit

Barry White’s Estate Files Copyright Lawsuit Over Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar’s “Like That” Sample

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The estate of late legend Barry White, led by his widow Glodean B. White and Jack W. Perry, began a curious legal battle recently, according to court documents reportedly obtained by AllHipHop. Moreover, they launched a copyright lawsuit involving Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar’s “Like That,” but it’s not as simple as it sounds. In fact, these three rap artists and their labels are not named as codefendants in the suit. Rather, the suit seems to target Rodney-O and Joe Cooley for their 1986 track, “Everlasting Bass.” But why? Let’s break it down and see what we can find.

In 1973, Barry White released his classic cut “I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Babe.” The Barry White Family Trust claims that Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar’s “Like That” unlawfully and directly stole that White song’s bassline. But what “Like That” sampled was “Everlasting Bass,” not the White track directly, so the complaint says that Rodney-O and Joe Cooley also infringed on White’s copyright. After all, they were the first ones to sample “I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Babe” in this case.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar Officially Submits “Not Like Us” & “Like That” For Grammys 2025 Consideration

The Barry White Song That Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar Could Be In Trouble Over

As such, it seems like Rodney-O and Joe Cooley are the main codefendants in this case, presumably along with the applicable record labels. But why aren’t Future, Metro Boomin, Kendrick Lamar, or their labels named as codefendants? In the complaint, it’s noted that these artists and their labels probably got indemnification from Rodney-O and Joe Cooley, which basically means that the duo would take responsibility for any copyright infringement on the trio’s behalf. However, plaintiffs also expressed that they would consider suing the WE DON’T TRUST YOU duo and K.Dot directly if this indemnification, which would protect them from legal action, is insufficient.

Rodney-O & Joe Cooley’s “Everlasting Bass”

Furthermore, the Barry White Family Trust seeks over $1 million in damages for unauthorized reproductions, digital downloads, streaming revenues, and other forms of infringement. With all this in mind, whether Future, Metro Boomin, Kendrick Lamar, and their labels answer for this directly is still a mystery. But one thing’s for sure: Barry White’s estate indirectly (and perhaps unknowingly) entered one of the greatest rap beefs ever.

Read More: NLE Choppa Sued By Rodney-O Over “Who TF Up In My Trap”

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The post Barry White’s Estate Files Copyright Lawsuit Over Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar’s “Like That” Sample appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

French Montana Scores “Technical Win” In Copyright Case

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Earlier this year, French Montana was hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit from up-and-coming hip-hop artist Hotwire The Producer, born Eddie Lee Richardson. Richardson accused the performer of sampling him on “Ain’t Worried About Nothin’” without permission, seeking $5 million. Luckily for French Montana, he beat the case earlier this week, but the judge’s ruling came alongside some shady comments.

Illinois federal Judge Nancy L. Maldonado dismissed the suit, providing Richardson with a few words of encouragement. According to her, French Montana merely took home a “technical win,” and says that he “should not claim [it] as a substantive victory.”

Read More: French Montana Thinks “Ball Drop” With Fabolous Should Have Won Grammy

Judge Claims “Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Flattery”

French Montana Scores “Technical Win" In Copyright Case
French Montana attends “Halftime” Premiere during the Tribeca Festival Opening Night on June 08, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)

“If it is any consolation, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the Court hopes that Richardson will not be deterred in his musical endeavors, now armed with a better understanding of copyright law,” Maldonado explains in her ruling. “As it is, though, Richardson’s evidence in this particular case is insufficient to establish copyright infringement.”

“Unfortunately for Richardson, his express admission in this case that he has only a sound recording copyright, and not one for a musical composition, means that he does not have exclusive rights in the generic sounds or melodies of HPW,” she adds. Maldonado insists that had Richardson registered for copyright of his musical composition, her ruling “might have been very different.” She claims that “In that case, Richardson’s expert evidence as to the similarity of the ‘sounds’ or melodies of the songs likely would have been enough to send this case to trial… But with a sound recording registration only, Richardson’s means for establishing infringement are much more limited.” What do you think of French Montana winning his copyright case? What about the judge’s comments? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

Read More: French Montana Recruits Kanye West & Westside Gunn For Track On “Mac & Cheese 5”

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The post French Montana Scores “Technical Win” In Copyright Case appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The Weeknd Settles “Call Out My Name” Copyright Lawsuit

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The Weeknd has reached a settlement in the copyright lawsuit regarding his 2018 single, “Call Out My Name.” According to the BBC, both parties are still formalizing the agreement. However, the terms of the settlement have not been disclosed publically. “The parties are still in the process of formalizing, executing, and consummating,” the plaintiff’s lawyers said in a filing on Friday.

In the original 2021 lawsuit, Suniel Fox and Henry Strange claimed that there will numerous similarities between The Weeknd’s song and their own track, “Vibeking.” They described their song as “atmospheric and melancholic.” “Both works are in a 6/8 meter that is less common in popular music,” they claimed. “Both works are played at a similar tempo. And both works use features of electronica, ambience, pop, hip-hop, rock, and R&B to achieve a particularly atmospheric and melancholic sound.”

The Weeknd At Super Bowl LV

TAMPA, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 07: The Weeknd performs during the Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Fox and Strange also stated that The Weeknd heard their song, recalling having sent the track to the artist’s DJ, Eric White, in 2015. His response was allegedly, “It’s fire.” About a year later, White got in touch with Strange again and wrote to him: “I sent [The Weeknd] that track u made a while ago. He listened and liked it. But nothing ever happened.” He further added in a subsequent email: “Just gonna tell [The Weeknd] that our production team wrote the track. Cool? Or u have another idea? Just don’t wanna say ‘hey, [Strange] wrote this’ when he doesn’t know u.”

While terms of the settlement were not announced. Fox and Strange previously asked the court for a share in the song’s past and future royalties, as well as coverage for their legal fees. The duo’s legal team has asked that all future hearings are set to be canceled and the case dismissed. “Call Out My Name” was included on the tracklist for The Weeknd’s 2018 EP, My Dear Melancholy. It ended up reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100.

Revisit “Call Out My Name” Below

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Roddy Ricch Hit With Lawsuit Over “The Box”: Report

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Roddy Ricch is facing a lawsuit for his 2019 hit “The Box.” His label, Atlantic Records, and producer 30 Roc are also named in the legal documents. Per TMZ, singer Greg Perry filed the suit. In it, he claimed that the Compton native used “key elements” from his 1975 song “Come On Down (Get Your Head Out Of The Clouds)” without asking his permission.

Perry is reportedly seeking damages in the lawsuit, saying that an expert “clearly and convincingly” found similarities between the songs. He’s also hoping the court will see that they purposely committed copyright infringement.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 06: Roddy Ricch performs onstage during Roddy Ricch Headlines SECRET SESH X SAC NFT Event on May 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Ricch recently celebrated the third anniversary of the song yesterday (Dec. 6). Shortly following the song’s release in 2019, both the single and the 24-year-old’s debut album, Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial, quickly climbed the music charts.

“The Box” went on to take the number one spot on the Hot 100 Billboard chart. It also took off on TikTok and other social media, with users adding the song to various videos.

READ MORE: Roddy Ricch’s “Live Life Fast” Receives Incredibly Mixed Reactions From Listeners

Ricch later enjoyed a rise to stardom following the viral hit, going on to release a string of notable singles and collaborations. In December 2021, he shared his second studio album Live Life Fast featuring 21 Savage, Kodak Black, and Future.

The “Stop Breathing” rapper and his team have not responded publicly to Perry’s copyright lawsuit.

Check out both songs above and below, and let us know in the comment section if you hear any similarities. Check back in with HNHH for any new updates on the suit.

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