In a recent legal development, Sony Music Entertainment has formally requested a judge to dismiss a lawsuit initiated by Patrick Moxey's Ultra International Music Publishing. The company argues that this lawsuit is an act of retaliation following Sony's earlier legal action against Ultra for the unauthorized use of the Ultra brand name. The dispute centers around allegations of copyright infringement and royalty underpayment involving over 50,000 musical compositions from renowned artists. This case highlights the complex relationships and potential conflicts within the music publishing industry, particularly when it comes to licensing agreements and intellectual property rights.

Ultra International Music Publishing and its European counterpart filed the lawsuit in November last year, accusing Sony Music Entertainment and its subsidiaries of using their compositions without proper authorization. According to the complaint, an internal audit revealed significant discrepancies in royalty payments owed to Ultra Publishing and its songwriters. Despite bringing these findings to Sony's attention, the plaintiffs claim that Sony failed to address the issue adequately. Consequently, Ultra ceased granting licenses to Sony but alleged that the latter continued to exploit their catalog on various platforms.

Sony Music, represented by attorney Tal Dickstein, responded on February 17th, asserting that the timing of Ultra's lawsuit was suspiciously close to the start of a separate trademark trial. Sony maintains that the audit in question was settled years ago for a much smaller amount than claimed and that Ultra did not pursue further action. Moreover, Sony emphasized that they have continued to collaborate with Ultra post-settlement, paying royalties without objections and licensing numerous other compositions owned by Ultra. The filing also underscores Sony's adherence to standard industry practices, questioning whether Ultra's actions truly benefit their songwriters.

The ongoing litigation reflects broader issues within the music industry, particularly concerning the enforcement of contracts and the protection of intellectual property. It also raises questions about the motivations behind such legal maneuvers and their impact on business relationships. While Sony contends that its practices align with industry norms, the case will likely provide insights into how major labels and independent publishers navigate these challenges. Ultimately, the outcome of this legal battle could set important precedents for future disputes in the music publishing sector.