Bill Donahue
@billdonahue.bsky.social
legal reporter @billboard.com, covering music and the law. my newsletter, The Legal Beat, drops every tuesday afternoon.
send me tips, pitches, leaks, gripes at: bdonahue@billboard.com.
read my stuff: https://www.billboard.com/author/bill-donahue/
send me tips, pitches, leaks, gripes at: bdonahue@billboard.com.
read my stuff: https://www.billboard.com/author/bill-donahue/
certainly a newsworthy ruling but it feels really weird to *omit entirely* that the judge very explicitly distinguished the case from the generative AI copyright cases...
bsky.app/profile/wire...
bsky.app/profile/wire...
February 12, 2025 at 1:53 PM
certainly a newsworthy ruling but it feels really weird to *omit entirely* that the judge very explicitly distinguished the case from the generative AI copyright cases...
bsky.app/profile/wire...
bsky.app/profile/wire...
Reposted by Bill Donahue
Seems like he didn’t say “pedophile” during Not Like Us. A compromise?
February 10, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Seems like he didn’t say “pedophile” during Not Like Us. A compromise?
Reposted by Bill Donahue
Jimi Hendrix Lawsuit Headed To Trial After UK Court Says Bandmates Can Sue Sony Over Royalties
Jimi Hendrix Lawsuit Headed To Trial After UK Court Says Bandmates Can Sue Sony Over Royalties
A lawsuit over the rights to Jimi Hendrix’s music is going to trial after a judge ruled that the heirs of his bandmates can keep suing Sony Music.
www.billboard.com
February 6, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Jimi Hendrix Lawsuit Headed To Trial After UK Court Says Bandmates Can Sue Sony Over Royalties
Reposted by Bill Donahue
Notorious B.I.G. Estate Sues Target & Home Depot Over Famed "King of New York" Photo
Notorious B.I.G. Estate Sues Target & Home Depot Over Famed ‘King of New York’ Photo
Notorious B.I.G.'s estate is suing Target, Home Depot and others for allegedly selling unauthorized prints of the famed "King of New York" photos.
www.billboard.com
February 5, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Notorious B.I.G. Estate Sues Target & Home Depot Over Famed "King of New York" Photo
new over at @billboard.com:
Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" is at the center of Drake's lawsuit. Does that mean he won't play it at the Super Bowl?
Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" is at the center of Drake's lawsuit. Does that mean he won't play it at the Super Bowl?
With Drake Lawsuit Looming, Can Kendrick Lamar Play ‘Not Like Us’ at the Super Bowl?
Can Kendrick Lamar play “Not Like Us” during his Super Bowl halftime show after Drake filed a defamation lawsuit? Legal experts answer the question.
www.billboard.com
February 5, 2025 at 2:22 PM
new over at @billboard.com:
Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" is at the center of Drake's lawsuit. Does that mean he won't play it at the Super Bowl?
Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" is at the center of Drake's lawsuit. Does that mean he won't play it at the Super Bowl?
A weird little court ruling on the 1963 rock classic "Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)" could be a big win for songwriters and their families, but opponents say it will upend existing music industry practices. Our story @billboard.com:
A Judge Says Copyright Termination Is Global. Will That Help Songwriters Or Cause ‘Chaos’?
A copyright court ruling in Louisiana found termination rights have global reach, a novel legal decision opponents say will cause "chaos."
www.billboard.com
February 4, 2025 at 2:00 PM
A weird little court ruling on the 1963 rock classic "Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)" could be a big win for songwriters and their families, but opponents say it will upend existing music industry practices. Our story @billboard.com:
Reposted by Bill Donahue
Superman's airspace restricted to the U.S.? www.wsj.com/business/med...
Lawsuit Aims to Ground ‘Superman’ in Major International Markets
The estate of superhero co-creator Joseph Shuster alleges overseas copyright infringement against Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Comics.
www.wsj.com
January 31, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Superman's airspace restricted to the U.S.? www.wsj.com/business/med...
A lawsuit accused Spotify of using audiobooks as a pretext to illegally cut music royalties, but a federal judge says the streamer did nothing wrong.
www.billboard.com/pro/spotify-...
www.billboard.com/pro/spotify-...
Spotify Beats MLC Audiobook Lawsuit After Judge Calls Federal Royalty Rules ‘Unambiguous’
Spotify won a ruling dismissing the Mechanical Licensing Collective's lawsuit alleging the streamer illegally cut royalty rates by adding audiobooks.
www.billboard.com
January 30, 2025 at 2:56 PM
A lawsuit accused Spotify of using audiobooks as a pretext to illegally cut music royalties, but a federal judge says the streamer did nothing wrong.
www.billboard.com/pro/spotify-...
www.billboard.com/pro/spotify-...
you suddenly awaken in your bed, drenched in sweat.
thank god, you think: it was all just a nightmare.
you aren't actually a BigLaw associate tasked with deposing John McEnroe.
thank god, you think: it was all just a nightmare.
you aren't actually a BigLaw associate tasked with deposing John McEnroe.
January 28, 2025 at 4:13 PM
you suddenly awaken in your bed, drenched in sweat.
thank god, you think: it was all just a nightmare.
you aren't actually a BigLaw associate tasked with deposing John McEnroe.
thank god, you think: it was all just a nightmare.
you aren't actually a BigLaw associate tasked with deposing John McEnroe.
Reposted by Bill Donahue
As the legal battle over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” gets underway, both sides have retained top attorneys – with Drake hiring a lawyer who battles conspiracy theories and Universal Music Group turning to one of its favorite law firms.
Here are the lawyers trying to win it for each side.
Here are the lawyers trying to win it for each side.
Drake & UMG Lawyer Up: Meet the Attorneys Handling the Blockbuster ‘Not Like Us’ Lawsuit
Drake and Universal Music Group lawyer up in the “Not Like Us" lawsuit/
www.billboard.com
January 27, 2025 at 5:58 PM
As the legal battle over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” gets underway, both sides have retained top attorneys – with Drake hiring a lawyer who battles conspiracy theories and Universal Music Group turning to one of its favorite law firms.
Here are the lawyers trying to win it for each side.
Here are the lawyers trying to win it for each side.
Reposted by Bill Donahue
It's official: We've got 12 jurors and four alternates for A$AP Rocky's gun assault trial in Los Angeles.
Opening statements will be tomorrow beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Judge Arnold is reading a few instructions to the jury right now.
I’ll stream live on YouTube. www.youtube.com/@MeghannCuniff
Opening statements will be tomorrow beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Judge Arnold is reading a few instructions to the jury right now.
I’ll stream live on YouTube. www.youtube.com/@MeghannCuniff
Meghann Cuniff
"Arguably the most influential legal journalist working today."
- The Washington Post
I am a longtime journalist with extensive experience reporting on trials and legal affairs. I cover trials in Los...
www.youtube.com
January 23, 2025 at 11:46 PM
It's official: We've got 12 jurors and four alternates for A$AP Rocky's gun assault trial in Los Angeles.
Opening statements will be tomorrow beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Judge Arnold is reading a few instructions to the jury right now.
I’ll stream live on YouTube. www.youtube.com/@MeghannCuniff
Opening statements will be tomorrow beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Judge Arnold is reading a few instructions to the jury right now.
I’ll stream live on YouTube. www.youtube.com/@MeghannCuniff
@billboard.com has arrived on Bluesky! Go give em a follow.
January 22, 2025 at 4:03 PM
@billboard.com has arrived on Bluesky! Go give em a follow.
Reposted by Bill Donahue
No decision in TikTok, Inc. v. Garland from the Supreme Court today.
January 15, 2025 at 3:06 PM
No decision in TikTok, Inc. v. Garland from the Supreme Court today.
Damian Williams, the former top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, will return to law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison as a partner in New York, the firm said reut.rs/3DPbvad @SaraMerken
January 10, 2025 at 8:20 PM
NEW: Megan Thee Stallion wins restraining order against Tory Lanez after tearful testimony in Los Angeles court.
“The person who shot me won't let me forget it."
www.billboard.com/pro/megan-th...
“The person who shot me won't let me forget it."
www.billboard.com/pro/megan-th...
Megan Thee Stallion Wins Restraining Order Against Tory Lanez After Tearful Testimony: ‘He’ll Shoot Me Again’
Megan Thee Stallion won a restraining order against Tory Lanez after testifying that she’s scared he’ll “shoot me again” when released from prison.
www.billboard.com
January 10, 2025 at 12:33 AM
NEW: Megan Thee Stallion wins restraining order against Tory Lanez after tearful testimony in Los Angeles court.
“The person who shot me won't let me forget it."
www.billboard.com/pro/megan-th...
“The person who shot me won't let me forget it."
www.billboard.com/pro/megan-th...
NEW: Travis Scott, SZA and Future are facing a copyright lawsuit from a singer named Victory Boyd, who claims they used her lyrics without permission in "Telekinesis."
www.billboard.com/pro/travis-s...
www.billboard.com/pro/travis-s...
Travis Scott, SZA & Future Face Copyright Suit Over ‘Telekinesis’
Travis Scott, SZA and Future are facing a copyright lawsuit claiming they stole key elements of their 2023 hit “Telekinesis” from an earlier track.
www.billboard.com
January 9, 2025 at 7:54 PM
NEW: Travis Scott, SZA and Future are facing a copyright lawsuit from a singer named Victory Boyd, who claims they used her lyrics without permission in "Telekinesis."
www.billboard.com/pro/travis-s...
www.billboard.com/pro/travis-s...
if you missed it yesterday... an arbitrator says Netflix's planned Ramones movie needed to be approved by Johnny Ramone's widow - and that the Ramones exec who shepherded the project without her consent must be removed from his role.
Ramones Legal War: Arbitrator Sides With Johnny Ramone’s Widow Over Netflix Movie Project
In the Ramones legal war, Johnny Ramone’s widow won a legal ruling against Joey Ramone‘s brother over a planned Netflix movie starring Pete Davidson.
www.billboard.com
December 12, 2024 at 3:04 PM
if you missed it yesterday... an arbitrator says Netflix's planned Ramones movie needed to be approved by Johnny Ramone's widow - and that the Ramones exec who shepherded the project without her consent must be removed from his role.
BREAKING: Jay-Z has filed his first court response to lawsuit alleging he raped a minor with Diddy in 2000. His lawyers argue that the accuser must disclose her name so that he can effectively defend against the “patently false” claims. My story: www.billboard.com/pro/jay-z-fi...
Jay-Z Fires Back in Court at ‘Extortionate’ Diddy Rape Lawsuit, Says Accuser Must Reveal Her Name
Jay-Z (Sean Carter) has filed his first response in court to a lawsuit accusing him of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs.
www.billboard.com
December 9, 2024 at 5:48 PM
BREAKING: Jay-Z has filed his first court response to lawsuit alleging he raped a minor with Diddy in 2000. His lawyers argue that the accuser must disclose her name so that he can effectively defend against the “patently false” claims. My story: www.billboard.com/pro/jay-z-fi...
NEW: Jay-Z has issued a blistering statement denying the rape allegations leveled against him in a lawsuit tonight. He calls them a “blackmail attempt” filed by a “fraud” lawyer. Full statement:
December 9, 2024 at 12:40 AM
NEW: Jay-Z has issued a blistering statement denying the rape allegations leveled against him in a lawsuit tonight. He calls them a “blackmail attempt” filed by a “fraud” lawyer. Full statement:
NEW: A federal judge has refused to dismiss a civil lawsuit accusing electronic music producer Bassnectar of sexually abusing three underage girls, sending the long-running case to a jury trial.
Bassnectar Sex Abuse Case Headed to Trial After Judge Denies His Motion to Dismiss Lawsuit
A Bassnectar sex abuse lawsuit will go to trial after a judge refused to toss it. The lawsuit accuses him of sexually abusing three underage girls.
www.billboard.com
December 6, 2024 at 7:08 PM
NEW: A federal judge has refused to dismiss a civil lawsuit accusing electronic music producer Bassnectar of sexually abusing three underage girls, sending the long-running case to a jury trial.
Reposted by Bill Donahue
Breaking: TikTok can be banned in the U.S. over national security concerns, a federal appeals court ruled
Appeals Court Upholds U.S. Ban of TikTok
Panel rules Congress has the power to shut down Chinese-backed app in the U.S. because of national security concerns.
www.wsj.com
December 6, 2024 at 3:35 PM
Breaking: TikTok can be banned in the U.S. over national security concerns, a federal appeals court ruled
Village People singer Victor Willis says he's going to sue news outlets that call the song "YMCA" a "gay anthem." But it's much easier to threaten lawsuits on Facebook than it is to actually win them in court. My story:
‘Y.M.C.A’ Singer Says He’ll Sue If You Call It A ‘Gay Anthem.’ Legal Experts Say He’s Unlikely To Win.
Village People singer Victor Willis is threatening to sue news outlets that describe “Y.M.C.A” as a “gay anthem,” but legal experts question his case.
www.billboard.com
December 5, 2024 at 7:08 PM
Village People singer Victor Willis says he's going to sue news outlets that call the song "YMCA" a "gay anthem." But it's much easier to threaten lawsuits on Facebook than it is to actually win them in court. My story: