Summer Walker in Legal Dispute With UMG Over Interscope Record Deal
Walker invoked California's seven-year statute to terminate her contract with Interscope. UMG has now responded with a lawsuit.
Summer Walker is embroiled in a legal battle with Universal Music Group (UMG) concerning her contract with Interscope Records. The dispute arose after Walker sent UMG a termination notice in August, citing California’s seven-year statute that permits artists to exit personal service contracts after seven years if they haven’t fulfilled all album commitments.
UMG responded by filing a lawsuit on October 9, alleging that if Walker breaches the deal, she would owe $50 million for not delivering all her promised albums. According to the lawsuit, Walker has only delivered three projects from the contract’s five-album commitment since it was signed in 2017. Interscope, Walker’s label, stated that while they hope for an amicable resolution, the statutory deadline requires them to file the suit to protect the terms of their contract.
The label expressed respect for Walker and her music, hoping to continue their successful partnership. Walker’s representatives have not yet responded to the matter. Labels have previously utilized such damages lawsuits when artists attempt to terminate their record deals under the seven-year statute, such as in cases involving Avenged Sevenfold and New Edition.
Despite numerous unsuccessful attempts in the California legislature to repeal the 1987 amendment allowing labels to bring such lawsuits, artist advocates argue that the potential for hefty damages discourages artists from invoking the seven-year statute to exit their contracts. The record industry maintains that this provision safeguards labels' contractual rights and ensures stable dealmaking.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
