‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ Voice Suit Rolls Across Many IP Issues

Rick Astley’s lawsuit over a rapper incorporating a “Never Gonna Give You Up” sound-alike clip faces major First Amendment hurdles, lawyers say, though the rapper’s false assertion that Astley endorsed the impersonation could give the ‘80s icon a boost.

Matthew Huari, known as Yung Gravy, acquired a license to use the composition copyright of Astley’s oft-memed 1987 hit in order to mimic a portion of it in his 2022 song “Betty (Get Money).” But Astley’s California state court complaint said Yung Gravy violated Astley’s right of publicity—which can include copying one’s voice—and falsely suggested Astley approved of the song.

The ...