Overview

• U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas tossed the case on Thursday, finding the lyrics to be “nonactionable opinion.”
• The opinion says a reasonable listener would not treat a diss track—replete with profanity, trash talk and hyperbole—as conveying verifiable facts.
• Drake had alleged UMG promoted and distributed the song while knowing it portrayed him as a pedophile, including claims of secret payments and discounted licensing; the company denied wrongdoing.
• UMG welcomed the dismissal in a statement and said it looks forward to continuing to promote Drake’s music, while representatives for Drake did not immediately comment.
• Lamar was not named as a defendant in the suit, and the ruling follows the song’s wide impact, including Grammy wins and a Super Bowl performance.