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Beyoncé Lawsuit Tossed Over Sample Dispute
30 Jun
Summary
- Lawsuit dismissed on June 26, 2026, due to plaintiff's non-existence.
- Plaintiff lacked legal standing as it formed after filing the complaint.
- Beyoncé's company cleared sample, but plaintiff claimed ownership.
U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi dismissed a copyright and breach of contract lawsuit against Beyoncé Knowles-Carter's entertainment company on June 26, 2026. The complaint, filed by Hirose Enterprises LLC, alleged unauthorized use of a sample from John Holiday's 1998 song "Moonraker" in Beyoncé's 2022 track "Alien Superstar."
However, the judge found a significant legal flaw: Hirose Enterprises LLC was formed on August 6, 2025, a week after the lawsuit was initiated on July 29, 2025. This meant the plaintiff had no legal existence at the time of filing, thus lacking the standing to sue.
Beyoncé's Parkwood Entertainment had reportedly cleared the sample from Holiday and received credit on the "Renaissance" album. The dismissal shields Parkwood, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Publishing, and Warner Chappell from the claims.
