2 Live Crew Regains Copyright Control in Court Ruling

A Florida federal jury has ruled in favor of 2 Live Crew, allowing the hip hop group to reclaim the rights to their early albums from Lil Joe Records, which had held those copyrights since acquiring them during the band's bankruptcy in the 1990s. The jury found that the group could invoke the copyright law's 'termination right,' which permits artists to regain ownership of their works after 35 years. Lil Joe Records, led by Joseph Weinberger, argued that the albums were created under a 'work for hire' agreement, but the jury disagreed. 2 Live Crew's Luther Campbell expressed joy over the decision, emphasizing the significance of reclaiming their music for future generations. Lil Joe Records has announced plans to appeal the verdict, noting it raises complex legal issues regarding copyright and bankruptcy law. This ruling could have broader implications for artists seeking to reclaim their rights in the music industry.