Court Dismisses Salt-N-Pepa Lawsuit Alleging Copyright Act Violations by Universal Music Group
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by Salt-N-Pepa against Universal Music Group, dealing a significant setback to the pioneering rap duo’s effort to reclaim ownership of their early recordings.
U.S. District Judge Denise Cote of the Southern District of New York granted UMG’s motion to dismiss the case, finding that the complaint failed to state a legally viable claim under the Copyright Act. The ruling brings an end (at least for now) to Salt-N-Pepa’s argument that UMG unlawfully prevented them from exercising termination rights that allow artists to regain control of copyrights decades after their release.
Salt-N-Pepa, comprised of Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton, filed the lawsuit in 2024, asserting that UMG was improperly blocking their attempts to reclaim music rights released more than 35 years ago. Under U.S. copyright law, artists may terminate prior grants of rights after a statutory period, a provision designed to rebalance power between creators and record companies. The duo alleged that UMG’s refusal to recognize those terminations effectively held their catalog “hostage.”
UMG countered by arguing that the recordings in question did not qualify for termination under the Copyright Act and that the lawsuit lacked a sufficient legal basis. Judge Cote agreed, granting the label’s request to dismiss the case.
“While we are gratified that the court dismissed this baseless lawsuit, it should never have been brought in the first place,” a UMG spokesperson said in a statement to Rolling Stone. The company added that, before the lawsuit, it had made multiple attempts to resolve the dispute outside of court. According to the label, those efforts included proposals to improve the duo’s compensation and ensure continued access to their music for fans, despite UMG having no legal obligation to do so.
Representatives for Salt-N-Pepa did not immediately respond to a request for comment following the ruling. When the lawsuit was first filed, however, the group’s legal team framed the case as a broader fight over artist rights and ownership, describing it as a matter of “legacy, justice, and the future of artist ownership.”
The dispute gained public attention last fall when portions of Salt-N-Pepa’s catalog were removed from streaming platforms amid the legal battle. During the duo’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November, James addressed the situation directly from the stage. “As we celebrate this moment, fans can’t even stream our music,” she said at the ceremony. “It’s been taken down from all streaming platforms because the industry still doesn’t want to play fair.”
Despite the court’s dismissal, UMG indicated that it remains open to future discussions. “Even with the court’s complete rejection of their claims, we remain willing to find a resolution and turn the page,” the spokesperson said, adding that the label hopes to focus on “working together to amplify Salt-N-Pepa’s legacy for generations to come.”
Whether the duo will appeal the decision or pursue other legal avenues remains unclear.
