Snoop Dogg Faces Copyright Lawsuit Over Alleged Unauthorized Use Of Backing Tracks

Rapper Snoop Dogg is embroiled in a legal battle following a copyright lawsuit filed earlier this week. The lawsuit, initiated by renowned producer and drummer Trevor Lawrence Jr., alleged that Dogg used two of Lawrence Jr’s backing tracks without proper authorisation or payment. The case was brought to the federal court in Los Angeles on Monday, July 15.

Lawrence Jr., known for his work with high-profile artists such as Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys, Ed Sheeran, Mariah Carey, and more, claimed that he allowed Dogg to experiment with the tracks in the studio with the understanding that he would be compensated if the tracks were commercially released. However, Lawrence Jr. asserts that Dogg used his tracks in the songs “Pop Pop” and “Get This Dick” from the rapper’s 2022 album, BODR, without reaching a formal licensing agreement or providing any financial compensation.

In the lawsuit, Lawrence Jr.’s attorneys state, “To date, defendants have refused to license the Lawrence properly tracks or compensate Lawrence for their use in the Broadus tracks.” The lawsuit also named Death Row Records as a defendant in the case.

According to the lawsuit, Lawrence Jr. and Dogg had discussed a $10,000 flat fee plus a 50% interest in the musical composition. Lawrence Jr.’s attorneys claim that a representative for Snoop Dogg confirmed these terms were acceptable. They argue that the songs have generated “tens of millions of dollars,” including revenue from their release as NFTs.

The lawsuit parallels a notable legal dispute involving singer Tracy Chapman and rapper Nicki Minaj. In 2020, a federal judge ruled that artists are allowed to experiment with materials in the studio to foster innovation but infringe on copyrights if the songs are released. Minaj settled the case by paying $450,000.

Lawrence Jr.’s attorneys further contend that Dogg’s team never communicated any intention to use the tracks in a bundled offering, such as the NFT sale, nor did Lawrence Jr. authorise such use.

At no point in time did defendants … communicate to Lawrence any intention to exploit the Lawrence tracks in connection with a bundled offering such as [the NFT sale], nor did Lawrence authorise any such exploitation of his work, which was never within his prior contemplation,” the lawsuit read.

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