Overview

• They charged that UMG intentionally removed classics such as “Push It” from major streaming platforms to undermine their efforts to reclaim master recordings.
• The duo filed a federal lawsuit on May 19 in the Southern District of New York under Section 203 of the Copyright Act seeking over $1 million in damages and a permanent injunction.
• Salt-N-Pepa submitted formal termination notices in 2022 to trigger reversion of their early masters after the 35-year statutory period.
• UMG has moved to dismiss the case on grounds that the recordings were works made for hire and the artists did not personally sign the original contracts.
• Both parties say they remain open to negotiating an amicable resolution as the court considers UMG’s dismissal motion.