CINCINNATI (CN) - The Sixth Circuit has affirmed a ruling for Universal-MCA Music Publishing in a copyright infringement dispute with Bridgeport Music over the lyrics to rappers Snoop Dogg and Michael Hutton's track "Change Gone Come."
Bridgeport claimed the song - written by Calvin Broadus a.k.a. Snoop Dogg, Priest Joseph Brooks and Lenton "L.T." Hutton - used lyrics from a Bridgeport-owned song called "Pumpin' It Up" by the P-Funk All Stars. Universal allegedly had a 25 percent interest in "Change Gone Come" and received about $600 in royalties.
Although Universal had an exclusive publishing agreement with Hutton, the circuit ruled, the music company had no control over his song writing and was not responsible forpolicing his infringements.
Universal pointed out that Bridgeport named the wrong defendant, as another Universal entity, Songs of Universal, holds interest in "Changes Gone Come." The circuit said it didn't need to reach that issue because it affirmed judgment for Universal. See ruling.
Read the Top 8
Sign up for the Top 8, a roundup of the day's top stories delivered directly to your inbox Monday through Friday.
