deadmau5 files $10 million lawsuit against Play Records
deadmau5 has sought legal action against Play Records – a Canadian electronic music label and publisher – for damages over a slew of unsanctioned remixes and mashups.
When Joel Zimmerman was still a burgeoning artist in 2006, he was loosely involved with Play Records as he had agreed to create two remixes for its President, Meleny “Melleefresh” Brown. He soon went on to sign a number of publishing and management agreements with Play; however, it wasn’t until a year later that mau5 had opted for a new (and his current) management company: Three Six Zero Group. In order to rightfully switch camps, Zimmerman was required to buy himself out of his agreement with Play Records, in addition to grant the label ownership of older records such as “Faxing Berlin.”
The written agreement between both parties stated that deadmau5 must give ‘”prior written consent’ for any ‘new’ remix entailing the change of melody and/or lyrics.'” But now, it appears that Play Records has shared remixes of his early music that were produced without his consent. In typical Joel Zimmerman fashion, he will not allow the label to get away without a proper fight.
Play Records now faces charges for breach of contract, infringement of moral rights, and trademark claims, as it has also wrongfully used deadmau5’s registered designs and attempted to advertise old music as new. Zimmerman claims a whopping $10 million in damages.
Read the full statement of claim.
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Categories: Music