Terry Williams claims he collaborated with the artist on several songs in the 1990s that he claims did not mention his name on.
Federal Judge Missy Elliott has been ordered to stand trial after a man filed a copyright lawsuit against her. Terry Williams claims to have co-written several of Elliott's songs in the 1990s, but his name has never been mentioned.
And in a ruling he obtained Rolling StoneIn the case filed by Williams on Monday, Judge Nitza I. Quinones Alejandro declined to dismiss Williams’ lawsuit. The judge also partially granted Elliott’s motions for summary judgment on Aaliyah’s song “Heartbroken,” one of five songs in dispute.
Elliott's lawyers alleged that the rapper did not meet Williams until after producing four of the five songs they allegedly co-wrote (which were released by her 1990s R&B group Sista). Williams denied the allegation, testifying during his deposition that he and Elliott worked together between 1993 and 1996. The songs in question appeared on the 1994 album “World Music Day.” 4 All sisters around the worldThe judge leaves this matter to the jury to decide.
“Given these conflicting arguments and evidence, there is a real issue as to whether Williams and Elliott were working together at the time of the production of the SISTA album. 4 all sisters Around the world “And if Williams’ contributions to the unreleased songs were used in derivative songs released on the album,” Judge Alejandro wrote.
Williams also claimed to have co-written Aaliyah's song “Heartbroken” from her 1996 album one in a million With Elliott, but the judge dismissed the suit, ruling that Williams had known for decades that his name was not mentioned in the song's credits.
Williams commenced this action against Elliott on November 14, 2018, more than twenty-two years after the Broken heartedUnder these circumstances, the court also finds that Williams failed to demonstrate that he exercised due diligence. As such, Williams' claim to joint ownership based on the song is Broken hearted Aaliyah's release of “Common Ownership” is barred by the three-year statute of limitations. Accordingly, Elliott's motion for summary judgment is granted with respect to Williams' claim to joint ownership based on Aaliyah's song. Broken heartedJudge Alejandro wrote:
Elliott's attorney did not immediately return. Rolling StoneWilliams did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A pretrial conference between Williams and Elliott is scheduled for November 13.
