Reggaeton on Trial: Judge Rules Dembow Copyright Case Against Bad Bunny, Drake, and 150+ Artists Must Go to Jury

A US federal judge has ruled that only a jury can decide the massive copyright lawsuit targeting the very foundation of reggaeton. According to reporting from Music Business Worldwide, Judge André Birotte Jr. issued the decision on Wednesday, July 1, keeping the high-stakes lawsuit alive. The suit, brought by Cleveland “Clevie” Browne and the heirs of Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson, alleges that over 150 artists copied their 1989 track "Fish Market." The plaintiffs claim the song is the copyrightable source of the “dembow’ rhythm—the ubiquitous boom-ch-boom-chick percussion that defines the genre. The staggering list of defendants includes Bad Bunny, Karol G, Drake, Daddy Yankee, Pitbull, and Luis Fonsi, alongside units of Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Music Group. Defendants argue that the rhythm is a common musical building block with roots in older genres like habanera. Judge Birotte ruled that the competing, credible expert opinions present a classic dispute of fact. This is a terrifying prospect for the major labels. If a jury decides a basic drum pattern is protectable, it sets a dangerous precedent that could stifle creative production across all of urban music. The case now moves to a second discovery phase to determine if hits like "Despacito" and "Tití Me Preguntó" directly copied "Fish Market." If no settlement is reached, a jury trial will follow.