Sony Accuses Music Publisher of Filing Tit-for-Tat IP Lawsuit

Sony Music Entertainment and Sony-owned Ultra Records LLC moved to throw out all claims in a lawsuit accusing them of underpaying songwriters royalties, calling the action a retaliatory move stemming from a separate trademark suit.

Ultra International Music Publishing LLC and Ultra Music Publishing Europe AG’s lawsuit alleging copyright infringement is an “ill-conceived effort” to “retaliate against defendants” for a separate lawsuit Ultra Records filed against Ultra International, according to Sony’s motion to dismiss filed Monday in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Sony acquired Ultra Records, as well as the “Ultra” trademark, from founder ...