US EditionJudge Dismisses Salt-N-Pepa’s Lawsuit to Reclaim Master Recordings From Universal Music Group
A New York judge ruled Salt-N-Pepa failed to prove ownership of their early masters, dismissing their claim under the Copyright Act despite 210 million Spotify streams of 'Push It.'
- In the Southern District of New York on Jan. 8, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote granted UMG's motion to dismiss Salt‑N‑Pepa's lawsuit, closing the case filed in May 2025.
- The duo filed termination notices in 2022 to reclaim ownership under the Copyright Act of 1976, alleging UMG refused to honor notices and removed songs from streaming platforms.
- Citing Section 203, the judge found artists can only terminate transfers they executed and wrote `Plaintiffs do not plausibly allege a claim for declaratory relief and Count One is dismissed in full`.
- UMG said it had tried to resolve the dispute before suing and welcomed the ruling, and the artists retain the right to appeal Judge Cote's dismissal order if they choose.
- The ruling means artists who never owned masters cannot reclaim them, barring Salt‑N‑Pepa from recovering recordings and freezing profits as `Push It` with over 210 million Spotify streams was removed from major U.S. streaming services.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Associated Press News
Judge dismisses Salt-N-Pepa's lawsuit to reclaim master recordings from Universal Music Group
A federal judge has dismissed Salt-N-Pepa's lawsuit to reclaim ownership of their master recordings from Universal Music Group. On Thursday, U.S.
Judge Rejects Salt-N-Pepa’s Bid to Reclaim “Push It”
Salt-N-Pepa faced a major loss in the courts are a Manhattan federal judge shut down the legendary rap group’s attempt to reclaim copyrights to their classic recordings, including their breakout hit “Push It,” ruling that the group never actually owned the rights in the first place. U.S. District Judge Denise Cote said the contracts tied to the music did not prove Salt-N-Pepa held copyright ownership and therefore could not legally terminate the…
Salt-N-Pepa Lawsuit Against Universal Music Group Dismissed by Federal Judge
The hip-hop duo sued UMG in May 2025, alleging the label pulled their music in retaliation for trying to reclaim rights to their hitsDesiree Navarro/WireImage Cheryl James and Sandra Denton of Salt-N-Pepa in New York City in April 2018NEED TO KNOWSalt-N-Pepa's lawsuit against Universal Music Group has been dismissed by a New York federal judge on Thursday, Jan. 8The group filed the lawsuit in May 2025, accusing the label of refusing to honor the…
Court Dismisses Salt-N-Pepa Lawsuit Accusing UMG of Violating Copyright Act
Salt-N-Pepa have reached a dead end in their lawsuit against Universal Music Group. Last year, the rap duo filed a suit alleging the company was holding their music “hostage” by not allowing them to reclaim control of their music’s intellectual property 35 years after its release, a violation of the Copyright Act. UMG later filed a motion to have the case dismissed “for failure to state a claim.” The motion was granted by District Judge Denise C…
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