Salt-N-Pepa Sue Universal Music Group for Master Rights
Salt-N-Pepa Sue Universal Music Group for Master Rights

Salt-N-Pepa Sue Universal Music Group for Master Rights

News summary

Salt-N-Pepa, the pioneering female hip-hop duo, have filed a federal lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) seeking to reclaim ownership of their master recordings under the 1976 Copyright Act, which allows artists to terminate copyright grants 35 years after signing them. They allege that UMG refused their termination requests, asserting the albums were "works made for hire," a claim the duo disputes based on their original contracts. In retaliation for their assertion of rights, UMG reportedly removed Salt-N-Pepa's music from major streaming platforms, effectively holding their catalog "hostage" and damaging its value. The duo is suing for damages exceeding $1 million and a permanent injunction affirming their ownership rights. This legal battle highlights the broader struggle many artists face in reclaiming control over their early music catalogs, often signed away under unfavorable contracts. Salt-N-Pepa's fight coincides with their upcoming induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, marking a significant moment in their career and the music industry's ongoing artist-rights discourse.

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Left 67%
Right 33%
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3
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Last Updated
96 days ago
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67% Left
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