BELIEVE IT: UMG, ABKCO, CONCORD SUE BELIEVE, TUNECORE

A copyright infringement suit has been filed against Believe S.A. and Tunecore, Inc. on behalf of Universal Music Group (UMG Recordings, Capitol Records, Capitol CMG), ABKCO Music & Records and Concord Music Group.

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that Believe has built its business by “operating as a hub for the distribution of infringing copies of the world’s most popular copyrighted recordings.” The complaint also notes, “This action is filed to address and stop Believe’s massive ongoing infringements and its brazen attempt to build its business by converting the value of those priceless recordings.”

Artists listed as having had their copyrights infringed upon include ABBA, Ariana Grande, Beastie Boys, Bon Jovi, Daddy Yankee, Diana Ross, Drake, Elton John, Fall Out Boy, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Lil Wayne, Nirvana, Post Malone, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder and Sting.

Furthermore, the complaint alleges, “Believe has distributed infringing tracks from infringers who call themselves 'Kendrik Laamar,' 'Arriana Gramde,' 'Jutin Biber' and 'Llady Gaga' [which makes us feel better about the profusion of typos on our site.] "Often, Believe distributes overtly infringing versions of original tracks by famous artists with notations that they are 'sped up' or 'remixed.'"

“Believe also wrongfully collects royalties it knows are properly payable by digital music services to Plaintiffs and other rightful copyright owners,” the suit charges.

Plaintiffs seek “damages, injunctive relief and other remedies.” Andrew Bart and Gianni Servodidio at Jenner & Block LLP are representing plaintiffs in the action.

“Believe is a company built on industrial-scale copyright infringement,” reads a statement from a UMG spokesperson. "Their illegal practices are not limited to cheating artists on major labels but artists on independent labels as well—including artists on the independent labels within the trade bodies of which Believe is itself a member. It’s no wonder that Believe has been outspoken against the streaming reform principles for which so many major and independent labels have been advocating. Why? Because such reforms would undermine and expose their system of building scale and market presence by distributing music for which they have no rights and illegally collecting royalties to enrich themselves and their co-conspirators.”

Stay tuned for updates from the people whose copyrights nobody would ever bother to infringe.