TuneCore & Believe Sued for $500 Million Over Alleged Copyright Violations
Music giants claim TuneCore’s platform facilitates massive piracy, seeking $500M in damages for unauthorized distributions of hit songs.
Universal Music Group, ABKCO, and Concord Music Group have filed a federal copyright lawsuit against music distributor TuneCore and its parent company, Believe, seeking damages of over $500 million. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan on November 4, alleges that TuneCore and Believe’s platform is “overrun” with piracy, allowing unauthorized versions of popular songs to circulate on streaming services. According to the suit, fraudulent “artists” have posted altered versions of hit songs by stars like Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga, using intentionally misspelled names to avoid detection.
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UMG claims Believe’s approach not only harms artists on major labels but also affects independent musicians, some of whom Believe itself represents. A UMG representative stated, “Believe’s business relies on industrial-scale copyright infringement, enriching itself and its affiliates through unauthorized distributions.”
In response, Believe denies these claims, stating, “We take copyright compliance seriously and have implemented strong anti-piracy measures. We intend to fight these allegations in court and continue supporting independent artists worldwide.”
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