By Blake Brittain
Sony Music Entertainment told a California federal court on Monday that it would drop its lawsuit accusing investors and makers of the 2022 movie “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody” of using 24 of Houston’s hits in the film without its permission.
Sony Music said in a court filing that it would dismiss the case with prejudice, which means it cannot be refiled. The parties told the court last month that they had reached a settlement but needed more time to finalize it.
Spokespeople and attorneys for both sides did not immediately respond to requests for comment and more information.
Houston, who died in 2012, signed to Arista Records in 1983. Arrest is now owned by Sony Music.
Sony Music said in the lawsuit, filed in February, that it licensed Houston’s music to producer Anthem Films for its biopic and soundtrack in 2022. The movie was released later that year and grossed nearly $60 million worldwide.
Sony accused Anthem of failing to pay agreed-upon licensing fees for hits featured in the movie including “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” “How Will I Know” and “I Will Always Love You.”
According to the lawsuit, Anthem told Sony Music it would pay after receiving money it was owed by the state of Massachusetts. Sony Music said Anthem later declined to sign a repayment agreement, citing contracts with other defendants.
The lawsuit requested at least $3.6 million in damages and a court order to stop the alleged infringement. The defendants never responded to the allegations in court. – Reuters
