Sony Music wins dismissal of copyright infringement claims brought by Shakira, Aerosmith and Jennifer Lopez after intervenor Marc Mysterio asserts charging lien
Executive summary: Intervenor Marc Mysterio filed a reply in the SDNY case asserting a charging lien and seeking to exclude Shakira, Aerosmith, and Jennifer Lopez from any Sony Music copyright infringement judgment. The ruling limits Sony Music's potential liability and illustrates how intervenors can use charging liens to affect copyright litigation outcomes, potentially shaping future case strategy and settlement dynamics.
Who is involved: Marc Mysterio (intervenor), Sony Music, Shakira, Aerosmith, Jennifer Lopez, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Likely next: The court is expected to rule on Mysterio's charging lien motion by mid‑August 2026; Sony may appeal the exclusion ruling by early September, while both sides could explore settlement talks by mid‑October.
Intervenor Marc Mysterio filed a reply in the Southern District of New York asserting a charging lien and seeking to exclude the artists from any judgment against Sony Music in the copyright infringement suit. The court's acceptance of the exclusion limits Sony's potential liability and highlights how intervenors can use charging liens to shape outcomes in intellectual‑property disputes. The development may influence future litigation strategies involving music copyright claims and could prompt settlement discussions between the parties. No immediate financial penalties have been imposed on Sony pending the lien determination.
Timeline
- — Shakira, Aerosmith, And Jennifer Lopez Excluded From Sony Music Infringement Judgment Asserted by Marc Mysterio an Intervenor Himself In SDNY Action (PR Newswire)
Analysis — what this means
Likely next events
- Court to hear arguments on Marc Mysterio's charging lien motion on August 12, 2026.
- Sony Music may file an appeal of the exclusion ruling by September 5, 2026.
- Marc Mysterio could seek to enforce the charging lien against Sony Music assets by September 30, 2026.
- Sony Music may enter settlement talks with the intervenor by October 15, 2026.
Sectors affected
- Recorded music
- Music publishing
- Copyright litigation
Regulatory implications
- SDNY ruling may clarify standards for intervenor standing and charging liens under 17 U.S.C. § 506.
- May prompt the U.S. Copyright Office to review lien enforcement practices in music licensing.
Historical parallels
- 2014 'Blurred Lines' case (Marvin Gaye estate vs. Robin Thicke/Pharrell Williams) where a jury found infringement.
- 2020 'Dark Horse' case (Flame vs. Katy Perry) where a jury initially found infringement, later overturned on appeal.
- 2016 'Stairway to Heaven' Led Zeppelin case where plaintiffs failed to prove substantial similarity.
Key entities
Sources
Open the full interactive case file on Beyond →
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