The United States District Court for the Central District of California set for him 20 October a hearing on several motions to dismiss Jamaican Dancehall Production Company's Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Steely & Clevie Productions which was originally scheduled for 22 of September.
The producer's complaint, presented for the first time in 2021, aims for more than 160 artists, reggaeton producers and record companies, included Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, Justin Bieber, Drake, Pitbull, Raw Alejandro y Diplo, among others.
The lawsuit alleges that the defendants illegally copied and profited from elements of the riddim. “Fish Market”, launched in 1989 por Steely & Clevie, which is also known as “Little Man Jam”, but is better known internationally as “The Bow”, for the success of Shabba Ranks and they would be around 1.800 songs that are being reported.
According Dancehall Mag, Some defendants have argued that items allegedly stolen from the riddim “Fish Market” are not protected by United States copyright laws and further maintain that Steely & Clevie You did not properly register your copyright before filing the lawsuit.
Other defendants, including Canadian rapper Drake, who initially did not file a motion to dismiss, chose to join the motion presented by Pryor Cashman, a law firm representing the largest contingent of defendants in the case.
The firm previously won a similar copyright case, clearing English superstar Ed Sheeran of accusations that his song “Thinking Out Loud” infringed “Let’s Get It On” de Marvin Gaye.
The songs at issue in the lawsuit range from 1995 until 2021 and includes successes such as “Despacito Remix” by Luis Fonsi with Justin Bieber and Daddy Yankee; “MIA” de Bad Bunny con Drake; “One Dance” Drake with Wizkid and Kyla; “give me your little thing” by El Chombo with Cutty Ranks; “Dura”, “Gasoline” Y “Shaky Shaky” by Daddy Yankee; “Taki Taki” by DJ Snake with Selena Gomez, Ozuna, Cardi B; Y “We Are One” (“Be Ola”) by Pitbull, among other.
The Doniger/Burroughs Law Firm Represents Steely's Interests & Clevie Productions and demand all profits generated by the allegedly infringing songs, actual damages, legal damages, interest and attorney fees.