Rachel Scharf
@rachelscharf.bsky.social
Senior writer @billboard.com, covering the intersection of music and the legal system. Previously New York and LA courts @law360.bsky.social. Tips: [email protected], DM for Signal
The Johnny Cash estate sued Coca-Cola for allegedly hiring a tribute singer to mimic his voice in a college football ad. This is the first high-profile case to be brought under Tennessee’s recently enacted right of publicity expansion, the ELVIS Act.
Johnny Cash Estate Sues Coca-Cola Over Soundalike Ad: ‘Stealing the Voice of an Artist is Theft’
Johnny Cash Estate Sues Coca-Cola Over Soundalike Ad: ‘Stealing the Voice of an Artist is Theft’
Johnny Cash's estate filed a lawsuit against Coca-Cola for allegedly hiring a soundalike singer to mimic the legend's voice in a college football ad.
bit.ly
November 26, 2025 at 11:23 PM
The Johnny Cash estate sued Coca-Cola for allegedly hiring a tribute singer to mimic his voice in a college football ad. This is the first high-profile case to be brought under Tennessee’s recently enacted right of publicity expansion, the ELVIS Act.
Reposted by Rachel Scharf
Suno & WMG Ink Licensing Deal, Effectively Settling WMG’s Lawsuit Against the AI Music Company
Suno & WMG Ink Licensing Deal, Effectively Settling WMG’s Lawsuit Against the AI Music Company
Suno and Warner Music Group have signed an AI licensing deal that effectively settles Warner's lawsuit against the AI music platform.
bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Suno & WMG Ink Licensing Deal, Effectively Settling WMG’s Lawsuit Against the AI Music Company
Revisiting my New York court roots - Don Henley and his longtime manager Irving Azoff have won dismissal of a lawsuit over their ultimately unsuccessful prosecution of three men for allegedly trying to sell stolen, original lyrics from the Eagles’ 1976 album Hotel California.
Don Henley and Irving Azoff Defeat Lawsuit Over Eagles Lyric Theft Trial
Don Henley and Irving Azoff Defeat Lawsuit Over Eagles Lyric Theft Trial
Don Henley and Irving Azoff beat a lawsuit over the prosecution of three men for allegedly selling stolen lyrics from the Eagles’ 'Hotel California.'
bit.ly
November 21, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Revisiting my New York court roots - Don Henley and his longtime manager Irving Azoff have won dismissal of a lawsuit over their ultimately unsuccessful prosecution of three men for allegedly trying to sell stolen, original lyrics from the Eagles’ 1976 album Hotel California.
The legal battle between A$AP Relli and A$AP Rocky continues on despite Rocky’s acquittal on felony shooting charges. We've got a civil assault trial on tap in January, and a judge refused Thursday to throw out Relli's defamation suit against Rocky and lawyer Joe Tacopina.
A$AP Relli v. A$AP Rocky Continues With Defamation Lawsuit & Another Looming Shooting Trial
A$AP Relli v. A$AP Rocky Continues With Defamation Lawsuit & Another Looming Shooting Trial
A$AP Rocky won a criminal trial over claims he shot A$AP Relli, but Relli's civil lawsuits against Rocky and his lawyer have continued on.
bit.ly
October 23, 2025 at 9:54 PM
The legal battle between A$AP Relli and A$AP Rocky continues on despite Rocky’s acquittal on felony shooting charges. We've got a civil assault trial on tap in January, and a judge refused Thursday to throw out Relli's defamation suit against Rocky and lawyer Joe Tacopina.
Dove deep into court records to untangle the origin of a real estate development underlying Calvin Harris' fraud claims against his former business manager. It turns out the project was originally thought up to ease tax liabilities on a $90 million catalog sale.
Inside the Hollywood Real Estate ‘Boondoggle’ at the Center of Calvin Harris’ Fraud Claims
Inside the Hollywood Real Estate ‘Boondoggle’ at the Center of Calvin Harris’ Fraud Claims
Calvin Harris made fraud claims in arbitration against his business manager over a real estate deal. Go inside the tangled legal web that led to it.
bit.ly
October 17, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Dove deep into court records to untangle the origin of a real estate development underlying Calvin Harris' fraud claims against his former business manager. It turns out the project was originally thought up to ease tax liabilities on a $90 million catalog sale.
EXCLUSIVE: Michael Jackson’s estate is ratcheting up allegations that a recent child abuse accuser fabricated his claims for a payday. New papers identify the man as a music manager and author of the 2011 memoir "My Friend Michael."
www.billboard.com/pro/michael-...
www.billboard.com/pro/michael-...
Michael Jackson Estate Identifies ‘Extortionate’ Abuse Accuser as ‘My Friend Michael’ Author
Michael Jackson’s abuse accuser is the author of the book "My Friend Michael," Frank Cascio, his estate claims in a new court filing.
www.billboard.com
July 9, 2025 at 6:39 PM
EXCLUSIVE: Michael Jackson’s estate is ratcheting up allegations that a recent child abuse accuser fabricated his claims for a payday. New papers identify the man as a music manager and author of the 2011 memoir "My Friend Michael."
www.billboard.com/pro/michael-...
www.billboard.com/pro/michael-...
Reposted by Rachel Scharf
Halle Bailey Says Her Mental Health Is Under Control and Slams DDG for Embellishing in Custody Case
Halle Bailey Says Her Mental Health Is Under Control and Slams DDG for Embellishing in Custody Case
Halle Bailey has slammed DDG’s claim that her mental health history is a risk to their child amid the couple's bitter child custody case.
bit.ly
June 5, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Halle Bailey Says Her Mental Health Is Under Control and Slams DDG for Embellishing in Custody Case
Reposted by Rachel Scharf
Jimmy Buffett’s Widow Sues to Replace Business Manager Handling $275M Estate
Jimmy Buffett’s Widow Sues to Replace Business Manager Handling $275M Estate
Jimmy Buffett’s widow Jane has filed a court petition asking to replace her co-trustee on the late singer-songwriter’s $275 million estate.
bit.ly
June 4, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Jimmy Buffett’s Widow Sues to Replace Business Manager Handling $275M Estate
Salt-N-Pepa is taking UMG to court to regain control of their masters, saying the label is refusing to honor copyright clawback rights and has instead “punished” the legendary hip-hop act by removing some of its music from streaming.
www.billboard.com/pro/salt-n-p...
www.billboard.com/pro/salt-n-p...
Salt-N-Pepa Sues UMG to Regain Masters, Says Label Is Holding Catalog ‘Hostage’
Salt-N-Pepa filed a lawsuit to get the duo's music masters back from its record label UMG, saying the company is violating copyright law.
www.billboard.com
May 19, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Salt-N-Pepa is taking UMG to court to regain control of their masters, saying the label is refusing to honor copyright clawback rights and has instead “punished” the legendary hip-hop act by removing some of its music from streaming.
www.billboard.com/pro/salt-n-p...
www.billboard.com/pro/salt-n-p...
DOJ is conducting a criminal investigation into whether Live Nation and AEG illegally colluded in their concert refund policies at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Live Nation confirmed as it denied any wrongdoing.
www.billboard.com/pro/live-nat...
www.billboard.com/pro/live-nat...
Live Nation, AEG Face Criminal Antitrust Probe Over Pandemic Refund Policies
Live Nation and AEG are facing a criminal investigation over the companies' pandemic refunds. The DOJ is investigating whether the companies colluded.
www.billboard.com
May 16, 2025 at 9:36 PM
DOJ is conducting a criminal investigation into whether Live Nation and AEG illegally colluded in their concert refund policies at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Live Nation confirmed as it denied any wrongdoing.
www.billboard.com/pro/live-nat...
www.billboard.com/pro/live-nat...
Housekeepers suing Smokey Robinson for sexual assault have now filed a police report, leading the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to open a criminal investigation on top of the bombshell civil claims filed against the 85-year-old Motown legend.
www.billboard.com/pro/smokey-r...
www.billboard.com/pro/smokey-r...
Smokey Robinson Faces Criminal Rape Investigation After Former Housekeepers File Police Report
Smokey Robinson is facing a criminal investigation for sexual assault claims filed against him in a civil lawsuit by four housekeepers.
www.billboard.com
May 15, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Housekeepers suing Smokey Robinson for sexual assault have now filed a police report, leading the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to open a criminal investigation on top of the bombshell civil claims filed against the 85-year-old Motown legend.
www.billboard.com/pro/smokey-r...
www.billboard.com/pro/smokey-r...
NEW: Taylor Swift’s longtime lawyers are asking a court to throw out a subpoena they were served by Justin Baldoni in his feud with Blake Lively, just a few days after Swift’s own reps slammed Baldoni for targeting the pop star with a similar subpoena.
www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-s...
www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-s...
Taylor Swift’s Lawyers Fight Subpoena from Justin Baldoni in Blake Lively Legal Battle
Taylor Swift’s lawyers are fighting Justin Baldoni's subpoena in his lawsuit against Blake Lively, asking a court to throw it out in a new filing.
www.billboard.com
May 13, 2025 at 6:52 PM
NEW: Taylor Swift’s longtime lawyers are asking a court to throw out a subpoena they were served by Justin Baldoni in his feud with Blake Lively, just a few days after Swift’s own reps slammed Baldoni for targeting the pop star with a similar subpoena.
www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-s...
www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-s...
Taylor Swift has been hit with a subpoena officially dragging her into the legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Swift's reps aren't happy, slamming the move for "creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.”
www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-s...
www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-s...
Taylor Swift Subpoenaed in Legal Feud Between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni
Taylor Swift has been subpoenaed in the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni legal fight over the film "It Ends With Us" and its aftermath.
www.billboard.com
May 9, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Taylor Swift has been hit with a subpoena officially dragging her into the legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. Swift's reps aren't happy, slamming the move for "creating tabloid clickbait instead of focusing on the facts of the case.”
www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-s...
www.billboard.com/pro/taylor-s...
A judge denied Lil Durk’s latest request to be released from jail as he awaits trial on murder-for-hire charges, unswayed that the Chicago drill star’s circumstances have dramatically changed following the removal of rap lyrics from his indictment.
www.billboard.com/pro/lil-durk...
www.billboard.com/pro/lil-durk...
Lil Durk Denied Jail Release After Lyrics Axed From Murder-For-Hire Indictment
Lil Durk lost a request to get out of jail while awaiting a murder-for-hire trial, even after prosecutors removed rap lyrics from the indictment.
www.billboard.com
May 9, 2025 at 12:06 AM
A judge denied Lil Durk’s latest request to be released from jail as he awaits trial on murder-for-hire charges, unswayed that the Chicago drill star’s circumstances have dramatically changed following the removal of rap lyrics from his indictment.
www.billboard.com/pro/lil-durk...
www.billboard.com/pro/lil-durk...
Smokey Robinson has denied shocking new claims of sexual assault, saying through his attorney that the “vile, false allegations” are merely “an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon.”
www.billboard.com/pro/smokey-r...
www.billboard.com/pro/smokey-r...
Smokey Robinson Says ‘Vile, False’ Rape Suit Is Just A Money Grab
Smokey Robinson has denied sexual assault claims, saying the "vile, false allegations" are merely "an ugly method of trying to extract money."
www.billboard.com
May 8, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Smokey Robinson has denied shocking new claims of sexual assault, saying through his attorney that the “vile, false allegations” are merely “an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon.”
www.billboard.com/pro/smokey-r...
www.billboard.com/pro/smokey-r...
My first story for @billboard.com: Smokey Robinson and his wife have been hit with an explosive new lawsuit that seeks $50 million in damages over claims that the legendary Motown singer repeatedly raped four housekeepers over nearly two decades.
www.billboard.com/pro/smokey-r...
www.billboard.com/pro/smokey-r...
Smokey Robinson Hit With $50M Lawsuit Claiming He Sexually Assaulted Four Housekeepers
Smokey Robinson was hit with a sexual assault lawsuit by four housekeepers who claim the singer assaulted them during their employment.
www.billboard.com
May 6, 2025 at 11:38 PM
My first story for @billboard.com: Smokey Robinson and his wife have been hit with an explosive new lawsuit that seeks $50 million in damages over claims that the legendary Motown singer repeatedly raped four housekeepers over nearly two decades.
www.billboard.com/pro/smokey-r...
www.billboard.com/pro/smokey-r...
It's my first day as a senior writer at @billboard.com, where I'll be covering all things legal within the music industry. So excited to dive into this beat! Say hi: [email protected]
May 5, 2025 at 9:54 PM
It's my first day as a senior writer at @billboard.com, where I'll be covering all things legal within the music industry. So excited to dive into this beat! Say hi: [email protected]
Personal news: It's my last day at Law360. I'm so grateful to have begun my journalism career here, and I'll miss all my colleagues in NY, LA and elsewhere. I'll still be on the legal beat - more on that soon.
My final story for Law360 is a classic:
www.law360.com/articles/232...
My final story for Law360 is a classic:
www.law360.com/articles/232...
Ex-Girardi CFO Gets 10 Years For 'Devastating' Fraud - Law360
A California federal judge sentenced Girardi Keese's former chief financial officer to just over 10 years in prison Friday for aiding firm leader Tom Girardi's $15 million client theft scheme while al...
www.law360.com
April 11, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Personal news: It's my last day at Law360. I'm so grateful to have begun my journalism career here, and I'll miss all my colleagues in NY, LA and elsewhere. I'll still be on the legal beat - more on that soon.
My final story for Law360 is a classic:
www.law360.com/articles/232...
My final story for Law360 is a classic:
www.law360.com/articles/232...
From today's Jay-Z v. Buzbee hearing in LA: The judge said Jay-Z's new evidence "has thrown a monkey wrench" in his analysis of the rapper's feud with personal injury atty Tony Buzbee, and he's now inclined to keep alive an extortion claim.
www.law360.com/articles/231...
www.law360.com/articles/231...
Jay-Z's New Evidence May Save Claim Buzbee Tried Extortion - Law360
A California state court judge said Wednesday that new evidence submitted by Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter "has thrown a monkey wrench" in his analysis of the rapper's feud with personal injury lawyer Tony Buz...
www.law360.com
March 26, 2025 at 10:16 PM
From today's Jay-Z v. Buzbee hearing in LA: The judge said Jay-Z's new evidence "has thrown a monkey wrench" in his analysis of the rapper's feud with personal injury atty Tony Buzbee, and he's now inclined to keep alive an extortion claim.
www.law360.com/articles/231...
www.law360.com/articles/231...
I'm in Santa Monica court, where a civil trial is about to begin against DeAndre Cortez Way AKA Soulja Boy. The rapper's ex-assistant/girlfriend alleges recurrent physical and sexual abuse.
A previous domestic abuse trial against Soulja Boy ended with a $500K verdict in 2023.
A previous domestic abuse trial against Soulja Boy ended with a $500K verdict in 2023.
March 13, 2025 at 8:46 PM
I'm in Santa Monica court, where a civil trial is about to begin against DeAndre Cortez Way AKA Soulja Boy. The rapper's ex-assistant/girlfriend alleges recurrent physical and sexual abuse.
A previous domestic abuse trial against Soulja Boy ended with a $500K verdict in 2023.
A previous domestic abuse trial against Soulja Boy ended with a $500K verdict in 2023.
BREAKING: Jurors in LA federal court just returned a verdict clearing a Disney subsidiary of infringing artist Buck Woodall's work "Bucky" to make the hit animated movie "Moana."
March 10, 2025 at 9:31 PM
BREAKING: Jurors in LA federal court just returned a verdict clearing a Disney subsidiary of infringing artist Buck Woodall's work "Bucky" to make the hit animated movie "Moana."
NOW: Jurors in LA federal court are deliberating over whether Disney's "Moana" ripped off the work of animator Buck Woodall. The trial lasted two weeks, and delibs began an hour ago.
Background: www.law360.com/articles/230...
Background: www.law360.com/articles/230...
Disney Slams Paltry Evidence As 'Moana' IP Trial Nears End - Law360
Counsel for a unit of The Walt Disney Co. urged a California federal judge to enter judgment in their favor as a copyright trial wound to a close Thursday, saying an artist has theories but no actual ...
www.law360.com
March 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
NOW: Jurors in LA federal court are deliberating over whether Disney's "Moana" ripped off the work of animator Buck Woodall. The trial lasted two weeks, and delibs began an hour ago.
Background: www.law360.com/articles/230...
Background: www.law360.com/articles/230...
Reposted by Rachel Scharf
A longtime animation director for The Walt Disney Co. testified that blockbuster movie "Moana" was inspired by Polynesian mythology and extensive research into the region and its culture, not the work of another artist now suing for copyright infringement. www.law360.com/artic...
Disney Animator Tells Jury 'Moana' Was His Original Idea - Law360
A longtime animation director for The Walt Disney Co. testified in California federal court Tuesday that his blockbuster movie "Moana" was inspired by Polynesian mythology and extensive research into the region and its culture, not the work of another artist now suing for copyright infringement.
www.law360.com
March 5, 2025 at 5:30 PM
A longtime animation director for The Walt Disney Co. testified that blockbuster movie "Moana" was inspired by Polynesian mythology and extensive research into the region and its culture, not the work of another artist now suing for copyright infringement. www.law360.com/artic...
A movie executive told an LA jury Monday that she never shared a distant family member's script with The Walt Disney Co., and that she later felt "set up" and pressured to lie for this relative's copyright suit over the blockbuster animated film "Moana."
www.law360.com/california/a...
www.law360.com/california/a...
Film Exec Testifies She Felt 'Set Up' By 'Moana' IP Claims - Law360
A movie executive told a California federal jury on Monday that she never shared a distant family member's script with The Walt Disney Co., and that she later felt "set up" and pressured to lie for th...
www.law360.com
March 4, 2025 at 1:03 AM
A movie executive told an LA jury Monday that she never shared a distant family member's script with The Walt Disney Co., and that she later felt "set up" and pressured to lie for this relative's copyright suit over the blockbuster animated film "Moana."
www.law360.com/california/a...
www.law360.com/california/a...
An animation artist's attorney told jurors on the first day of an LA federal court trial Wednesday that Disney stole his magnum opus to develop "Moana," while Disney said the 2016 blockbuster was entirely original.
www.law360.com/articles/230...
www.law360.com/articles/230...
Disney Pilfered Animator's 'Life Work' For 'Moana,' Jury Told - Law360
Counsel for an animation artist told jurors on the first day of a California federal court trial Wednesday that The Walt Disney Co. stole his magnum opus to develop the blockbuster movie "Moana" witho...
www.law360.com
February 27, 2025 at 1:25 AM
An animation artist's attorney told jurors on the first day of an LA federal court trial Wednesday that Disney stole his magnum opus to develop "Moana," while Disney said the 2016 blockbuster was entirely original.
www.law360.com/articles/230...
www.law360.com/articles/230...