Unraveling the Alleged Conspiracy in the Music Industry
UMG's Statement on Allegations
The company firmly refuted Drake's claims, stating that "The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue." UMG emphasized its commitment to the highest ethical practices in marketing and promotional campaigns. It argued that no amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in the pre-action submission could mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.UMG's stance is clear - they believe in letting the music speak for itself and not engaging in any underhanded tactics. This legal filing is a response to Drake's serious accusations and an attempt to set the record straight.
The company's reputation is on the line, and they are determined to prove their innocence in this matter. UMG's actions show that they take such allegations seriously and will not hesitate to defend themselves in court if necessary.
The Alleged "Scheme" by UMG
Drake's Frozen Moments LLC accused UMG of embarking on an illegal "scheme" to inflate the popularity of Lamar's hit song. The song served as an attack on Drake amid their ongoing feud. Lamar's company pgLang is licensed through UMG's Interscope Records, which distributed "Not Like Us."The allegations include UMG charging Spotify reduced licensing rates in exchange for the streamer recommending "Not Like Us" to users who had searched for "unrelated songs and artists." Additionally, UMG was accused of paying influencers to boost the song on social media and hiring bots to fraudulently boost its numbers.
This alleged "scheme" has raised serious questions about the integrity of the music industry and the practices of major labels. Drake's lawyers claim that he raised the issue with UMG before going to court but that the company tried to conceal its alleged wrongdoing, including by firing staffers loyal to Drake.
Drake's Claims and UMG's Response
Drake's lawyers also claimed that UMG insisted he sue Lamar instead of the label when he complained. This has added another layer of complexity to the situation and raised questions about UMG's motives.UMG, however, maintains that they are acting in the best interests of their artists and the industry as a whole. They believe that Drake's accusations are baseless and that they are being wrongly targeted.
The pre-action petition filed on Monday is not yet a lawsuit but rather a procedure under New York law with the aim of securing information before filing a lawsuit. Parties named in these petitions will not necessarily be targeted in an eventual lawsuit, but it is a significant step in the legal process.