Beyoncé and her protégé, Chlöe Bailey, along with their label, Parkwood Entertainment, are facing a $5 million copyright infringement lawsuit. Melvin Moore, a Grammy-nominated artist known as 4Rest, alleges that his work was used without permission on several tracks from Bailey’s Trouble in Paradise album, released in August.
Moore’s lawsuit, filed in New York, names Parkwood Entertainment, Columbia Records, Sony Music Entertainment, and others, accusing them of fraudulent misrepresentation, civil conspiracy, and DMCA violations. He claims to have significantly contributed to the album, providing original lyrics, melodies, and creative direction.
Specifically, Moore cites the songs “Favorite,” “Might As Well,” and “Same Lingerie” as examples of unauthorized use of his work. He claims Bailey ignored a DMCA takedown notice before promoting “Same Lingerie” on her Instagram. Moore describes “Same Lingerie” as a deeply personal song inspired by his relationship, asserting that his demos were the foundation of the released track and that he was wrongfully excluded from its commercial release.
Moore is seeking $5 million per song in punitive damages, plus statutory damages of up to $150,000 per infringement and $25,000 per DMCA violation. He has requested a jury trial.
Sources at Parkwood Entertainment have told the DailyMail that Beyoncé is “livid” about the lawsuit, seeing it as damaging to all involved. The label is reportedly concerned about the potential repercussions, drawing parallels to the negative impact of the Marvin Gaye lawsuit on Robin Thicke’s career.
Neither Beyoncé nor Bailey has publicly commented on the allegations. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant consequences for the music industry and Parkwood Entertainment’s reputation.
