Second Circuit Orders Drake and UMG to Mediate in Defamation Appeal on Dec. 19

Overview

• A three-hour telephonic mediation is set for December 19 at 10:30 a.m. ET, directed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
• Chief Circuit Mediator Kathleen M. Scanlon will lead the session, with both sides expected to discuss the strength of their legal positions and settlement options.
• The mediation follows an October 9 district-court dismissal that deemed Kendrick Lamar’s diss track lyrics protected opinion in the context of a rap battle.
• Drake appealed on October 29, alleging UMG acted with actual malice by promoting the song and visuals and claiming the rollout fueled threats and incidents targeting his family.
• UMG denies wrongdoing and frames the suit as an attempt to curb artistic expression, while also distributing music for both Drake (via Republic) and Lamar (via Interscope); if talks fail, the appeal returns to formal briefing.