Bad Bunny Challenges Court Ruling in High-Profile Reggaeton Copyright Case

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Global music superstar Bad Bunny is asking a federal judge to reconsider a key ruling in one of the music industry's most closely watched copyright lawsuits involving the signature dembow rhythm that has helped define modern reggaeton.

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2021 by legendary Jamaican production duo Steely & Clevie, claims the iconic dembow rhythm used in countless reggaeton hits originated from their late-1980s recordings, including "Fish Market," "Dem Bow," and "Pounder (Dub Mix II)."

The case names several of Latin music's biggest stars, including Bad Bunny, Karol G, Daddy Yankee, and numerous producers, artists, and record labels.

Earlier this year, a federal judge ruled that a jury should determine whether the rhythm is protected under U.S. copyright law. Now, Bad Bunny's legal team is asking the court to reconsider that decision.

According to court filings, Bad Bunny's attorney argues that the lawsuit attempts to combine elements from multiple songs instead of relying on a single copyrighted work. The defense contends that the plaintiffs are claiming ownership of a musical pattern that does not fully exist in any one recording, making the copyright claim legally questionable.

The filing also argues that resolving this issue before trial could save significant time and resources, especially since the lawsuit could involve comparisons across more than 1,000 songs that allegedly use similar rhythmic patterns.

Bad Bunny's request has also received support from several major artists connected to the Latin music industry, including Drake, Maluma, Wisin, Yandel, Myke Towers, Ovy On The Drums, De La Ghetto, and Carlos Vives, according to court documents.

Attorneys representing Steely & Clevie disagree with the motion, maintaining that the case should continue as planned. They argue that the defendants have not presented any new legal grounds for the court to reconsider its earlier decision and are asking the judge to deny the request.

The outcome of the case could have a major impact on the future of reggaeton, Latin music, and music copyright law, potentially influencing how courts interpret ownership of musical rhythms and production patterns used across multiple songs.

As the legal battle continues, artists and producers throughout the music industry will be watching closely, as the decision could shape the future of sampling, beat creation, and copyright protection for years to come.

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