Judge Orders Missy Elliott to Face Trial Over Copyright Lawsuit
Terry Williams, a musician, has filed a copyright lawsuit against rapper Missy Elliott, claiming that he collaborated with her on several songs in the 1990s and was not credited as a co-writer. A federal judge has ordered Elliott to face trial, after dismissing some of the claims in the lawsuit.
According to the lawsuit, Williams alleges that he co-wrote several songs with Elliott, including those featured on her debut album "4 All the Sistas Around Da World" in 1994. However, Elliott’s attorneys argue that Williams did not meet with her until after the songs were produced.
In a ruling obtained by Rolling Stone, Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro refused to dismiss Williams’ lawsuit, citing a "genuine issue of material fact" regarding whether Williams and Elliott were working together at the time of the album’s production. The judge also granted Elliott’s claims for summary judgement over Aaliyah’s song "Heartbroken", one of five songs in dispute.
Background
Missy Elliott rose to fame in the late 1990s with her unique style and lyrics. Her debut album, "4 All the Sistas Around Da World", was a commercial success, featuring hits like "Sock It 2 Me" and "Gettin’ Naked". However, it appears that not all parties involved in the album’s production were credited properly.
The Lawsuit
In 2018, Williams filed a lawsuit against Elliott, alleging that she failed to credit him as a co-writer on several songs. Elliott’s attorneys argued that Williams did not meet with her until after the songs were produced, while Williams disputed this claim, testifying that he and Elliott worked together between 1993 and 1996.
The Ruling
In her ruling, Judge Alejandro refused to dismiss Williams’ lawsuit, stating that there was a "genuine issue of material fact" regarding the collaboration. The judge also granted Elliott’s claims for summary judgement over "Heartbroken", ruling that Williams had failed to offer evidence that he exercised due diligence in obtaining credit for his contributions to the song.
What’s Next
A pretrial conference between Williams and Elliott is scheduled for November 13. While neither party has commented on the case, it appears that the dispute may ultimately be decided by a jury.
Conclusion
The copyright lawsuit filed by Terry Williams against Missy Elliott highlights the importance of proper credit and ownership in the music industry. As the case progresses, it will be interesting to see how the issue is resolved and whether Elliott is held accountable for any alleged copyright violations.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit is seeking to establish Terry Williams’ credits as a co-writer on several songs in the 1990s, including those featured on Missy Elliott’s debut album.
Q: What is the disputed issue in the case?
A: The main issue is whether Terry Williams and Missy Elliott collaborated on the songs in question, with Williams alleging that he was a co-writer and Elliott’s attorneys arguing that he was not involved in the songwriting process.
Q: What is the significance of the ruling?
A: The ruling allows the case to proceed to trial, where a jury will decide the issue of ownership and credit for the disputed songs.
Q: What is the next step in the case?
A: A pretrial conference has been scheduled for November 13, after which the case will proceed to trial.
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