Judge Blocks Beyonce’s Motion To Dismiss ‘Formation’ Copyright Lawsuit

Published: Thursday 27th Jul 2017 by Rashad

A Louisiana judge recently poured ‘Lemonade’ diva Beyonce a glass of sour news regarding her 2016 top 10 hit, ‘Formation.’

As we reported here in April, the family of late comedian/Youtube star Messy Mya (Anthony Barre) slapped Bey & team with a lawsuit claiming the diva used vocal recordings of his in her song ‘Formation’ without their permission.  Seeking unpaid royalties and credit for Barre as “co-songwriter” on the track, the family not only listed Bey as defendants, but also everyone connected to the tune (including producers, other songwriters, etc.).

Immediately clapping back, Bey’s legal team asserted her use of his vocal was not only “grossly overstated” by the plaintiffs, but was also covered under ‘Fair Use’ copyright protection.  Well, the judge wasn’t buying it.



Billboard reports:

A Louisiana federal judge on Tuesday denied Bey’s motion to dismiss the copyright claim on fair use grounds — but she’s not buying Barre’s argument that the doctrine doesn’t apply to digital sampling of a sound recording.

At this stage facts alleged by the plaintiff are taken as true, and U.S. District Judge Nannette Jolivette Brown found that Barre has made a case that Beyonce’s use of the clips was not transformative and that, although the samples were short, it was a “qualitatively significant” use.

In the event the motion to dismiss failed, Bey’s legal team tried to block Barre’s family request for statutory damages.  However, like with the first motion, Bey’s team failed again.  Billboard reports:

“Brown [the federal judge] denied the motion in its entirety, finding that Beyonce’s lawyers failed to show that Barre’s requests are “‘redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter’ such that striking it from the record is proper.”

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  1. DevilsAdvocate July 27, 2017

    Now I love the Queen but she should pay a small lump sum to the family. No songwriter or producer credit should be given and call it a day

    • DanYiel Iman July 27, 2017

      It seems weird because Big Freedia was paid already, so what part of the intro did Messy Mya say?

      • Jasmine July 28, 2017

        “What happened at the New Orleans”, “B|itch I’m back by popular demand”, and “Oh yeah baby oh yeah I like that” is all Messy Mya. Beyonce needs to just pay up. Why minimize this guy’s work and why use his work and not pay him while he was still alive?

    • Tim Brown July 27, 2017

      Right, Missy E paid the young lady Rachelle (sorry if her name is wrong) whom was Trayvon’s friend for her voice sample on her song. ❤️

  2. Anne July 27, 2017

    Sounds like it’s time to settle out of court.

  3. ThatMessJuice.Flop July 27, 2017

    Wow really? They took a piece someone else’s intellectual property made millions but don’t wanna share some of that money? This is just selfishness personified.

  4. Cbeylive July 28, 2017

    Only person I heard was big freeda

  5. Team Keysh July 28, 2017

    But the sample was only used for the (free) video…not the single or album…I love Messy Mya but the family is reaching tbh. I think it was a nice dedication to the late great…Mya would be honored! Ooooh yeeaahhh

    • Chile Please!!! July 28, 2017

      You sound like a delusional Fleahive stan that’s going to ride for Weaveyonce regardless of what her wack ozz does! This trick just needs to cough up the coins and call it a day.

  6. S****** Blonde July 28, 2017

    It’s anyone surprised by this?

  7. TheOne July 28, 2017

    Good! Stop stealing and pay up!!!

  8. Rihboy July 28, 2017

    All them coins and she holdin into it for what! Just pay them! Disgusting.

  9. ??? July 28, 2017

    Lmao BLOOP! Scammeryonce thought she was God and can get whatever she wants, and the judge let her know the real lmao.

  10. 4U2SEE July 28, 2017

    Why her and solange always p!ssed about a Becky? Drive-by.

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