Sony Music has filed a lawsuit against the producers of the Whitney Houston biopic, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” over alleged failure to pay for the use of Houston’s music in the film. The lawsuit, filed over a year after the film’s release, claims that the producers have not paid Sony Music for the use of Houston’s catalog in the movie.
According to the lawsuit, Sony Music entered into an agreement with the producers of the biopic in 2019, granting them the rights to use Houston’s music in the film. The agreement stated that the producers would pay Sony Music a fee for the use of the songs, as well as a percentage of the film’s profits.
However, Sony Music claims that they have not received any payment from the producers, despite repeated attempts to collect the fees owed. The lawsuit also alleges that the producers have not provided any accounting of the film’s profits, making it impossible for Sony Music to determine the amount owed to them.
The Whitney Houston biopic, directed by Stella Meghie and starring Naomi Ackie as the late singer, was released in theaters in November 2021. The film received mixed reviews from critics, but was praised for its portrayal of Houston’s life and career.
Sony Music’s lawsuit is seeking damages for copyright infringement and breach of contract. The company is also requesting an injunction to prevent the producers from using Houston’s music in any future projects without proper payment and permission.
This is not the first time Sony Music has taken legal action against the producers of a biopic. In 2019, the company filed a similar lawsuit against the producers of the Aretha Franklin biopic, “Respect,” for allegedly using Franklin’s songs without permission.
The use of music in films and television shows is a common practice, but it is important for producers to obtain proper licenses and pay the appropriate fees to the copyright holders. Failure to do so can result in legal action and financial consequences.
As of now, the producers of “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” have not responded to the lawsuit. It remains to be seen how the case will unfold and if Sony Music will receive the payment they claim they are owed for the use of Whitney Houston’s iconic music.
