Sony Music Sues Ultra Records Founder Patrick Moxey Over Trademark Dispute
After Sony Music acquired Ultra Records, the company is now suing its original founder Patrick Moxey over trademark disputes involving the word 'Ultra.'
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Photo Credit: International Music Summit / CC by 3.0
Sony Music initially purchased 50% of Ultra Records LLC from Moxey in 2012, allowing him to continue running the company. The agreement stated that Ultra International Music Publishing could only use the word 'Ultra' under license from Ultra Records. This license was terminated on March 29, 2022, following Sony Music's complete acquisition of Ultra Records.
The lawsuit claims that Ultra International Music Publishing has continued using the word 'Ultra' in violation of Ultra Records' trademark rights under U.S. and New York law. Notably, there was never a written license agreement between the two companies regarding the Ultra trademark.
Key points of the dispute:
- Moxey departed Ultra Records in January 2022, shortly after Sony's acquisition
- He maintains full ownership of Ultra International Music Publishing
- The original license was terminable at will under New York law
- Moxey disputes the existence of the 2012 license agreement
- He denies violating Ultra Records' trademark rights
Recently, Moxey entered a global publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music, further complicating the relationship between the parties.
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