Universal Music Group Launches $500M Lawsuit Against Believe Over Alleged Mass Copyright Infringement
Universal Music Group (UMG) has filed a $500 million lawsuit against Believe and its subsidiary TuneCore, alleging widespread copyright infringement and unauthorized distribution of protected musical content.
Universal Music sues Believe and TuneCore
The lawsuit, filed by UMG alongside Capitol Records, ABKCO Music & Records, and Concord Music Group, claims Believe knowingly distributed infringing copies of copyrighted recordings from artists like Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga. The company allegedly profits from distributing unauthorized "sped up" and "remixed" versions through platforms including TikTok, YouTube, and Spotify.
Key allegations include:
- Believe's client list contains fraudulent artists and pirate labels
- The company avoided implementing basic copyright protection measures
- Believe wrongfully collected royalties meant for legitimate rights holders
- The company exploited YouTube's content management system to claim ownership of UMG recordings
UMG seeks $500 million in damages, a permanent injunction against further infringement, impoundment and destruction of infringing content, plus recovery of legal fees. The case will proceed to a jury trial.
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