Judge Dismisses Core Reggaeton Copyright Claims Against Bad Bunny and Others

Key points

• Judge André Birotte Jr. of the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles ruled in favor of more than 150 artists and companies named as defendants in a high-profile copyright suit.
• The lawsuit, filed in 2021, targeted the 'dembow' rhythm, a syncopated beat pivotal to reggaeton's development in the 1980s and 1990s in Puerto Rico and Panama.
• Plaintiffs were the producers and songwriters behind the 1989 track 'Fish Market' and two 1990 songs, 'Dem Bow' and 'Pounder Dub Mix II,' which drew from the original composition.
• The judge reversed a prior decision, throwing out the most significant parts of the suit, though the case remains active with some claims potentially surviving.
• Notable defendants in the case include Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Daddy Yankee, and Karol G, among dozens of other artists.

Background

This ruling follows earlier coverage of the same case, where a federal judge had previously narrowed copyright claims regarding the dembow rhythm. The current decision represents a significant legal development in the ongoing dispute over the ownership of reggaeton's foundational beats, which have been central to the genre's global popularity since the 1990s.

Why it matters

The decision impacts the legal landscape for music copyright in Latin American genres, potentially setting precedents for how rhythmic patterns are protected. It affects a wide range of high-profile artists and could influence future disputes over foundational musical elements in reggaeton and related styles.

What to watch

The case is not over, and some claims may remain pending. Further legal proceedings are expected as the court addresses any surviving aspects of the lawsuit, particularly those involving potential direct sampling rather than the broader rhythmic pattern.