In a significant legal move, legendary funk artist George Clinton has initiated a lawsuit against his former business associate, Armen Boladian. Filed in a Florida federal court, the complaint accuses Boladian of orchestrating a long-term scheme involving forgery and copyright infringement. The suit alleges that Boladian's actions have resulted in the loss of approximately 90% of Clinton's music catalog, along with millions in unpaid royalties. Seeking immediate legal intervention to halt any potential sale of his music rights, Clinton also aims to reclaim ownership through a provision in copyright law. This latest legal battle is part of an ongoing dispute spanning decades, highlighting the complexities surrounding intellectual property rights in the music industry.

The roots of this conflict can be traced back to the early years of Clinton's career when he collaborated closely with Boladian. Serving as both agent and business partner during critical periods from 1968 to 1975 and again from 1981 to 1990, Boladian allegedly exploited his position by engaging in fraudulent activities. According to the lawsuit, Boladian misled Clinton into signing blank agreements, which later granted him extensive control over the musician's catalog. Between 1982 and 1986, Boladian reportedly forged multiple contracts, increasing his share of royalties and diluting Clinton's earnings. Additionally, Boladian is accused of inserting fictitious songwriters into copyright registrations, further diminishing Clinton's rightful compensation.

Boladian's alleged tactics extended beyond paperwork manipulation. The lawsuit claims he paid third parties to falsely claim ownership of Clinton's songs, thereby diverting royalty payments away from the artist. For instance, Mark Bass was allegedly compensated to assert false ownership over the track "Anybody Get Funked Up." Such actions not only deprived Clinton of financial benefits but also undermined his creative legacy. Furthermore, several holding companies under Boladian's control, including Bridgeport Music, Westbound Records, Nine Records, Southfield Music, and Eastbound Records, are named in the lawsuit. These entities primarily hold copyrights to songs owned by various artists and frequently engage in litigation against those who sample Clinton's music without proper authorization.

Clinton's legal action encompasses claims of copyright infringement, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty. He seeks to rectify past injustices and prevent future exploitation of his work. While Boladian's legal representative, Richard Busch, has expressed intentions to dismiss the complaint and seek sanctions, the case underscores the broader issues of artist rights and the integrity of music ownership. As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome could set important precedents for how similar disputes are handled in the future.

Through this lawsuit, Clinton aims to regain control over his musical creations and ensure that his contributions to the genre receive the recognition and compensation they deserve. The case highlights the importance of safeguarding intellectual property and the challenges faced by artists in protecting their work from unauthorized exploitation. As the legal battle continues, it remains to be seen how this complex issue will be resolved, potentially reshaping the landscape of music rights management.