A New York judge has dismissed a claim by Tashera Simmons, the ex-wife of late rapper DMX, to secure a 50% stake in the musician's music catalog and intellectual property rights. The ruling highlights the complexities surrounding divorce settlements and intellectual property ownership. Although Tashera argued that their 2016 divorce agreement entitled her to half of DMX’s IP rights, Judge David F. Everett ruled against her, stating that the settlement did not explicitly confer ownership rights. This decision underscores the importance of clear language in legal documents and emphasizes the preservation of DMX's legacy through his estate.

The legal battle revolves around the interpretation of the couple's 2016 divorce agreement. During their 16-year marriage, DMX achieved significant success, releasing hits such as "Ruff Ryders' Anthem" and "Party Up (Up In Here)." Following their divorce in 2016, Tashera filed a lawsuit last year, asserting her entitlement to half of DMX's copyrights, trademarks, and likeness rights. However, Judge Everett concluded that the settlement only granted her royalty payments rather than ownership stakes. Furthermore, the judge pointed out that Tashera had previously raised similar claims in earlier litigation but settled without addressing shared ownership, effectively waiving her right to contest this matter further.

Judge Everett also addressed the handwritten excerpt from the divorce settlement, which Tashera claimed supported her case. Despite this, the judge determined that the language used did not clearly assign ownership of DMX's intellectual property. Instead, it referred exclusively to various categories of royalty payments. The court found Tashera's interpretation of the term "intellectual property rights" as including ownership to be unsupported by the document's wording.

While the main claim was dismissed, Judge Everett acknowledged one aspect of Tashera's argument by refusing to dismiss allegations that DMX failed to pay $214,000 in child support. This issue remains unresolved due to conflicting testimonies from both parties. Tashera's attorney, Samuel J. Ferrara, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing its disregard for established legal principles and the benefits owed to Tashera and her children. Conversely, Lisa M. Capone, representing DMX's estate, praised the decision for safeguarding the rapper's legacy. Ashley Austin, CEO of Artist Legacy Group, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the ruling's role in preserving DMX's rights and ensuring the estate's future management.

This legal outcome not only resolves immediate disputes but also sets a precedent for how intellectual property is handled posthumously. By affirming the estate's sole ownership of DMX's creative works, the court ensures that his contributions to hip-hop continue to be celebrated and managed according to his intentions. While some aspects of the case remain open for further review, the overall decision reflects a commitment to protecting the artistic and financial legacies of influential figures like DMX.