Kesha's lawyer continues to push for lawsuit injunction to lift music ban
Kesha's lawyer is pleading with a New York judge to approve their request for a preliminary injunction to allow the singer to start work on a new album without producer Dr. Luke.
The pop star has been locked in litigation with Dr. Luke since last year (14), when she accused the producer of alleged sexual assault and battery, sexual harassment, gender violence, emotional abuse, and violation of California business practices over their 10-year collaboration. She also claimed Dr. Luke repeatedly drugged her and that his abuse caused her eating disorder, which forced her into rehab at the beginning of 2014.
She subsequently added Sony Music bosses to her lawsuit, alleging
they supported his reported behavior by doing nothing to stop it.
The producer's Kemosabe Records is a subsidiary of Sony.
Dr. Luke is countersuing Kesha for defamation, claiming she
fabricated the allegations in a bid to get out of her Kemosabe
contract, while Sony chiefs insist they have been "caught in the
crossfire", blasting Kesha's actions as nothing but a "transparent
and misguided attempt to renegotiate her contracts".
In September (15), Kesha's legal representatives called on the New
York judge to grant the injunction and make a decision about
whether or not she has enough evidence to push to end her recording
contract with Dr. Luke.
The lawyers alleged that without the preliminary injunction, their
client "can't work with music producers, publishers, or record
labels to release new music" - because she's tied to Sony.
On Friday (30Oct15), Kesha's attorney Mark Geragos filed new court
papers, revealing the singer had written to both defendants seeking
permission to record a new album for Sony without the involvement
of Dr. Luke or his label - but the proposal was snubbed, according
to Billboard.com.
"The letters in response indicated both Sony and Dr. Luke believe
the exclusivity clauses remain in effect, they will not agree to
refrain from enforcement, and Sony specifically will not work with
Kesha unless she agrees to work with Kemosabe and Dr. Luke's
company, KMI," Geragos writes.
He continues, "Kesha now faces an abysmal decision: work with her
alleged abuser... or idly and passively wait as her career
tick-tocks away. She is precluded from working in perpetuity
because the term of her contract can only be satisfied if she
records three more albums. Kesha needs the Court's assistance."
Dr. Luke's lawyer, Christine Lepera, previously insisted Kesha only
had herself to blame for the music ban.
A statement released to WENN at the time read: "If Kesha now
regrets her career being mired in legal proceedings, it's entirely
her making. It was Kesha who chose to file a lawsuit falsely
alleging abuse to gain advantage in contract negotiations, and now
she must accept the consequences of her improper actions.
"As long as she continues to stand by her false claims of abuse
against Dr. Luke and remains in breach of her contracts, he will
continue to protect his professional and personal reputation, as
well as his contractual rights, in a court of law. He looks forward
to obtaining judgments in his favor."