George Clinton Lawsuit: Jury Trial for P-Funk Masters

An appeals court has ruled that George Clinton must face a jury trial concerning ownership claims of Parliament-Funkadelic masters. The estate of the late keyboardist Bernie Worrell brought the lawsuit, alleging Worrell never stopped owning his share of the masters. A federal judge initially dismissed the case, citing the statute of limitations. However, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed this decision, stating that a jury should decide if the claims are timely.

The dispute stems from a 1976 contract where Worrell reportedly released his ownership stake for royalties. This has led to ongoing legal battles. Clinton's attorneys recently argued the 1976 deal was void as Clinton never signed it, prompting the Worrell estate's current action. The appellate judges clarified that a trial is only appropriate for songs created between 1976 and 1979, not the entire catalog.

Despite arguments about insufficient evidence of Worrell's co-creation, the appeals court rejected this, noting Clinton's own past admissions highlighting Worrell's significant contributions. The case will return to federal court for trial preparation unless a settlement is reached. Clinton's attorney expressed disagreement with the ruling, calling it "extraordinarily narrow" and limiting the scope to a small fraction of the work.