French Montana’s Legal Triumph: ADLI Law Group’s Victory in Copyright Dispute

ADLI Law Group is pleased to announce a significant legal triumph on behalf of our esteemed client, the renowned rapper French Montana. The victory comes in the context of a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by artist Eddie Lee Richardson, known professionally as Hotwire the Producer.

In a meticulously considered decision, U.S. District Judge Nancy L. Maldonado granted summary judgment in favor of French Montana, resulting in the complete dismissal of the case. The court’s ruling, while technically advantageous, is underscored by Judge Maldonado’s caution that it does not constitute a substantive victory for the acclaimed rap artist.

The lawsuit, initiated in 2019, alleged that French Montana unlawfully sampled Richardson’s instrumental composition, “Hood Pushin’ Weight,” in the creation of his chart-topping single “Ain’t Worried About Nothin’.” Notably, the court found that Richardson’s admission of ownership solely over the sound recording, and not the musical composition, limited his performance rights to digital audio transmission.

Despite Richardson’s efforts to demonstrate similarities in sounds and melodies, the court determined that such resemblances were insufficient to establish a triable issue of copyright infringement. Additionally, the absence of evidence supporting the claim that French Montana’s live performances involved digital audio transmission further weakened Richardson’s case.

Judge Maldonado acknowledged that the case might have proceeded to trial had Richardson held rights to the musical composition. However, she unequivocally emphasized that French Montana’s legal success should be characterized as a technical win, discouraging any assertions of a substantive triumph.

Dariush Ghaffar Adli, counsel for French Montana and esteemed partner at ADLI Law Group PC, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I hope that this result contributes to a reduction in the number of such lawsuits, which, in my view, do nothing but dampen creativity and innovation in the arts.”

This victory underscores ADLI Law Group’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the creative rights of individuals within the entertainment industry. We extend our appreciation to the court for its thorough examination of the facts and legal intricacies involved in this case.

ADLI Law Group (January 2024)