Grammy-winning rap duo Salt-N-Pepa have escalated their copyright battle against Universal Music Group, filing a notice of appeal on February 4 in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The appeal challenges a January 8 ruling by District Judge Denise Cote that dismissed the duo’s lawsuit over ownership of their master recordings.
Judge Cote’s decision held that Cheryl James and Sandra Denton never legally owned the copyrights to their recordings and therefore cannot exercise termination rights under Section 203 of the Copyright Act. The statute allows artists to reclaim transferred copyrights 35 years after the original grant, but only for transfers executed by the artist themselves.
Salt-N-Pepa previously served termination notices on Universal in March 2022, with the earliest effective date set for May 15, 2024. Their case centers on a 1986 recording agreement with Noise In The Attic Productions, a company owned by producer Hurby Azor. That contract granted NITA ownership of the master recordings, and on the same day, Azor transferred the rights to Next Plateau Records, a predecessor to Universal.
The duo signed an inducement letter linked to the distribution deal with Next Plateau and argued it represented a direct grant of rights, enabling them to reclaim their masters decades later. Judge Cote rejected the claim, stating, “The only copyright transfer effectuated by these agreements was the one from NITA to Next Plateau Records. Plaintiffs can only terminate copyright transfers that they executed.”
Salt-N-Pepa Hires “Blurred Lines” Attorney & Files Appeal In UMG Lawsuit Dismissal
The court also dismissed a conversion claim in which Salt-N-Pepa alleged Universal interfered with their possession of master tapes, finding no evidence the artists ever held ownership of those recordings.
Universal called the dismissal a “complete vindication,” adding it had sought to resolve the dispute privately. A spokesperson said, “While we are gratified that the court dismissed this baseless lawsuit, we remain open to dialogue to support Salt-N-Pepa’s legacy.”
Salt-N-Pepa contend their catalog generates substantial revenue, citing millions in streaming and synchronization licenses. The appeal follows months after their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and marks the first involvement of veteran copyright attorney Richard S. Busch, known for his work representing the Marvin Gaye estate in the “Blurred Lines” litigation.
The Second Circuit now must determine whether the pioneering duo can reclaim control over the masters that defined their legacy in hip-hop.
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