Pryor Cashman achieved a decisive victory for its clients, Karol G, DJ Maff and UMG Recordings, securing the dismissal of a copyright lawsuit filed based on Karol G's 2022 hit song, "Gatúbela" ("Catwoman") from the chart-topping album Mañana Será Bonito.
Plaintiffs Jack Hernandez d/b/a Ocean Vibes Music Publishing and Dick Alfredo Caballero Rodriguez p/k/a "Alfr3d," alleged that "Gatúbela" copied key elements of their song "Punto G," claiming the works were substantially similar and that the later-released Karol G track was a "forgery."
However, after the exchange of evidence, including session files and a spectral analysis that proved independent creation, Plaintiffs agreed to voluntarily dismiss their claims with prejudice with a public apology.
In their written apology filed with the court and posted publicly, Plaintiffs acknowledged their error, stating: "Given this evidence, we have decided to dismiss our lawsuit and wish to sincerely apologize to Karol G and DJ Maff for our mistaken claims and public allegations. We were wrong."
Released in February 2023, Mañana Será Bonito debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, becoming the first all-Spanish-language album by a woman to top the chart. "Gatúbela" was also a commercial success, reaching No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 on the Hot Latin Songs.
The litigation team was led by Partner James Sammataro, Co-Chair of the Music Group and the Media + Entertainment Litigation Practice; Partner Brendan Everman, a member of the Litigation and Media + Entertainment Groups; with assistance from Counsel Christine M. Dimitriou and Associate Kevin Savarese, both members of the Litigation Group.
This victory follows closely on the heels of the firm's summary judgment win for Karol G and Tiësto, in which it defeated an infringement claim involving the hit song "Don't Be Shy," as well as the dismissal of a copyright lawsuit over Anitta's chart-topping song "Funk Rave."
With a long history of representing global artists, record labels, and music publishers, Pryor Cashman remains a go-to firm for complex and closely watched disputes in the music industry.
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Resources
- [Billboard] 'We Were Wrong': Karol G Accusers Drop Song Lawsuit – and Apologize for Suing Her
- [Rolling Stone] Karol G Accusers 'Sincerely Apologize' for Song-Theft Lawsuit: 'We Were Wrong'
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