Tracy Chapman Sues Nicki Minaj Over Unauthorized Song: “Sorry”

Tracy Chapman sues Nicki Minaj over her unauthorized song name “Sorry,” which is a derivative of “Baby Can I Hold You.”

But On Dec. 17, Nicki Minaj offered to pay Chapman a $450,000 deal on her copyright infringement case.

The lawsuit was obtained a couple of months after Minaj had released her album, “ Queen.”

According to documents filed in California court on Jan. 7, the 56-year-old songwriter has accepted the 38-year-old rapper’s offer of judgment in their case.

As a result, the two artists will no longer head to the scheduled trial later this year.

“Judgment shall be entered in favor of plaintiff Tracy Chapman and against the defendant in the amount of $450,000,” Dec. 17 noted that this sum was “inclusive of all costs and attorney fees incurred to date.”

By accepting this offer, Chapman not only scores a win in the case and $450,000, but the singer also avoids being responsible for costs had judges eventually decided her claims weren’t worth that amount.

Tracy Chapman Sues Nicki Minaj Over a Copy Song

While “Sorry” wasn’t on the album, Minaj allegedly leaked the song to Funkmaster Flex, a famous radio DJ, and then the song was revealed on the internet.

According to court papers in the case, Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty and her reps sought a license to Chapman’s composition. One of the clearance technicians put on the task is said to have known that Tracy was on the “do not sample list,” an unwritten list of well-known artists for not allowing samples of their works.

Maraj-Petty’s team tried a lot, but Chapman rejected a request. Minaj insisted, but the song only got out through the leak.

She claimed that she unequivocally said no for permission to use her song, but Minaj “chose not to hear and used my composition despite my clear and express intentions.”

She also added that this lawsuit was the last resort, pursued to defend her work and seek protection for the creative enterprise of an independent publisher and songwriter like her.

Tracy Chapman Lawsuit Against Nicki Minaj

Virginia Phillips, U.S. District Court Judge, concluded that Nicki had a fair use right to work on the song in the studio to enable musical experimentation, explaining “A ruling uprooting these common practices would limit creativity and stifle innovation within the music industry.”

On summary judgment, they set up a trial to explore the facts and responsibility for the song’s leak and ultimate distribution. Minaj may have had some hopes of ultimately prevailing. However, there was still significant evidence against her.

Chapman said about the outcome: “I’m glad to have this matter resolved.” She added that she is grateful for this legal outcome, which fixes artists’ rights. Tracy continued that these rights should be protected by law and respected by other artists.

So what do you think about it? Let us know in the comments box. We are eagerly waiting to see what you think.

Follow us elsewhere:
Check our website: https://usdaynews.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USdayNWES
Twitter: https://twitter.com/usdaynews
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/USdayNEWS/

Originally published at https://usdaynews.com on January 8, 2021.