


Drake (Photo Credit: Norman Wong)
Drake Prepares for Legal Showdown With UMG, Cites 63 Potential Witnesses
The list includes Sir Lucian Grainge, Monte Lipman and more
Drake’s lawyers have named 63 potential witnesses in the rapper’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG).
Legal action:
The lawsuit stems from Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us,” with Drake accusing UMG of boosting its popularity to generate revenue.
Evidence collection:
Drake’s legal team has listed 63 potential witnesses they believe hold evidence that could help his case.
The individuals could be asked to hand over documents as part of the evidence discovery process – but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will be called to testify once the trial begins.
Among the execs listed are UMG CEO Sir Lucian Grainge, Universal Music Publishing Group chief Jody Gerson, Interscope CEO John Janick, Republic co-founders Avery Lipman and Monte Lipman, and Top Dawg Entertainment President Dave Free.
Who isn’t on the witness list?
Kendrick Lamar.
Drake hasn’t accused Lamar of defamation. As per Digital Music News, he is instead focusing on those he believes have details related to the “promotion and licensing of the defamatory material” and UMG’s “use of covert tactics to promote the defamatory material.”
Lamar is, however, listed on UMG’s witness list, as is Drake.
Motion to dismiss:
UMG has filed a motion to dismiss the case.
The ruling is yet to be handed down.
Drake’s lawyers have named 63 potential witnesses in the rapper’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG).
Legal action:
The lawsuit stems from Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us,” with Drake accusing UMG of boosting its popularity to generate revenue.
Evidence collection:
Drake’s legal team has listed 63 potential witnesses they believe hold evidence that could help his case.
The individuals could be asked to hand over documents as part of the evidence discovery process – but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will be called to testify once the trial begins.
Among the execs listed are UMG CEO Sir Lucian Grainge, Universal Music Publishing Group chief Jody Gerson, Interscope CEO John Janick, Republic co-founders Avery Lipman and Monte Lipman, and Top Dawg Entertainment President Dave Free.
Who isn’t on the witness list?
Kendrick Lamar.
Drake hasn’t accused Lamar of defamation. As per Digital Music News, he is instead focusing on those he believes have details related to the “promotion and licensing of the defamatory material” and UMG’s “use of covert tactics to promote the defamatory material.”
Lamar is, however, listed on UMG’s witness list, as is Drake.
Motion to dismiss:
UMG has filed a motion to dismiss the case.
The ruling is yet to be handed down.
Drake’s lawyers have named 63 potential witnesses in the rapper’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG).
Legal action:
The lawsuit stems from Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us,” with Drake accusing UMG of boosting its popularity to generate revenue.
Evidence collection:
Drake’s legal team has listed 63 potential witnesses they believe hold evidence that could help his case.
The individuals could be asked to hand over documents as part of the evidence discovery process – but that doesn’t necessarily mean they will be called to testify once the trial begins.
Among the execs listed are UMG CEO Sir Lucian Grainge, Universal Music Publishing Group chief Jody Gerson, Interscope CEO John Janick, Republic co-founders Avery Lipman and Monte Lipman, and Top Dawg Entertainment President Dave Free.
Who isn’t on the witness list?
Kendrick Lamar.
Drake hasn’t accused Lamar of defamation. As per Digital Music News, he is instead focusing on those he believes have details related to the “promotion and licensing of the defamatory material” and UMG’s “use of covert tactics to promote the defamatory material.”
Lamar is, however, listed on UMG’s witness list, as is Drake.
Motion to dismiss:
UMG has filed a motion to dismiss the case.
The ruling is yet to be handed down.
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Sir Lucian Grainge
Universal Music Publishing Group
Jody Gerson
Interscope
John Janick
Top Dawg Entertainment
Dave Free
Universal Music Group (UMG)
Artist-Led Defamation Lawsuits
High-Profile Artist Litigation
Artist vs. Label Legal Battles
Major Label Lawsuits
Music Industry Legal Battles
Label Liability For Artist Feuds
Litigation
Major Labels
Legal Disputes
Record Labels
Policy & Legal
Artist Defamation Lawsuit
United States
Canada
👋 Disclosures & Transparency Block
- This story was written with information sourced from Digital Music News.
- We covered it because it’s news of high profile litigation featuring some of music’s biggest players.
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