January 30th 2025.
Universal Music Group has taken a stand against rapper Drake, arguing that their actions are protected by the Texas Citizens Participation Act. This comes in response to Drake's recent lawsuit against UMG in which he accuses the label of artificially inflating the numbers for Kendrick Lamar's hit song "Not Like Us." According to Chron, UMG is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed in Bexar County, Texas.
Drake's lawsuit alleges that UMG engaged in a pay-per-click scheme in conjunction with iHeartMedia, the parent company of iHeartRadio, to promote "Not Like Us." The suit also claims that this collaboration intentionally damaged Drake's reputation. However, UMG maintains that their actions are protected by the Texas Citizens Participation Act, which safeguards against retaliatory lawsuits that aim to silence individuals on matters of public concern.
UMG explains that Drake's petition was filed under Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 202, which allows individuals to request a deposition to investigate a potential claim before filing a lawsuit. The label argues that this tactic is often used to intimidate and punish individuals for exercising their First Amendment rights. They also assert that Drake must provide evidence to support his claims, including the allegation that UMG paid iHeartMedia for radio play.
In seeking the dismissal of the lawsuit, UMG contends that Drake has not provided sufficient evidence to back up his accusations. They claim that the artist is using the petition as a means to manipulate public opinion with baseless claims and prevent any further action. Additionally, UMG has discredited the anonymous sources cited in Drake's petition, stating that their claims are hearsay and inadmissible as evidence.
The label is urging the court to dismiss the petition and halt any further proceedings until a decision is made. They are also requesting that Drake cover the costs and attorney fees associated with the lawsuit. This legal battle between Drake and UMG has garnered attention and sparked discussion about the music industry and the power dynamics at play. Stay tuned for updates on this ongoing case.
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