A New York federal court has dismissed Tuff City Records’ lawsuit against Universal Music, which accused Mary J. Blige’s 1992 hit Real Love of using an unlicensed drum loop from Impeach the President. Judge Dale Ho ruled the works are A New York federal court has dismissed Tuff City Records’ lawsuit against Universal Music, which accused Mary J. Blige’s 1992 hit Real Love of using an unlicensed drum loop from Impeach the President. Judge Dale Ho ruled the works are not “substantially similar” to a lay listener. This verdict could reshape legal standards for sampling and reinforce artist defenses in future music copyright suits.
