Beyoncé and Chlöe Bailey Hit with $5M Lawsuit Over Alleged Copyright Infringement
A legal battle is unfolding at Parkwood Entertainment as music mogul Beyoncé and her protégé, Chlöe Bailey, face a lawsuit over alleged copyright violations. Grammy-nominated artist Melvin Moore, known professionally as 4Rest (Forest), has accused the powerhouse label of using his work without authorization in multiple songs from Bailey’s Trouble in Paradise album, released in August.
The lawsuit, filed in New York on Thursday, targets Parkwood Entertainment, Columbia Records, Sony Music Entertainment, and other affiliated entities. Moore alleges fraudulent misrepresentation, civil conspiracy, and breaches of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). He claims to have significantly contributed original lyrics, melodies, and creative direction to tracks including Favorite, Might As Well, and Same Lingerie, which, according to him, were released without his knowledge or consent. Despite sending a DMCA Violation and Cease and Desist notice, Bailey allegedly continued promoting Same Lingerie to her 260,000 Instagram followers.
Moore further asserts that Same Lingerie was deeply personal, inspired by a past relationship, and that his original demos formed the backbone of the song. In response to what he describes as deliberate copyright infringement and deceptive business tactics, he is seeking $5 million per song in punitive damages, in addition to statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringement and $25,000 per DMCA violation. The artist has also requested a jury trial to hold the defendants accountable.
The lawsuit has reportedly sent shockwaves through Parkwood Entertainment, with insiders revealing growing tensions between Bailey and the label in the lead-up to the filing. A source told DailyMail that Beyoncé is furious about the controversy, calling it “a terrible look for everyone involved.” Neither Beyoncé nor Bailey has publicly addressed the allegations, but with the case gaining traction, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for both the music industry and Parkwood Entertainment’s reputation.
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