Sugarhill Sues Over "Uptown Anthem"

Sugarhill Music Publishing v. Warner/Chappel Music, Inc., No. 1:12-cv-09225-PAC (S.D.N.Y. complaint filed Dec. 19, 2012).

According to the complaint, plaintiff owns the copyright in the musical composition "That's The Joint" (1981), and defendants co-own the copyright in the musical composition "Uptown Anthem" (1991).  Plaintiffs allege in paragraph 7 of the complaint that defendants' song incorporates plaintiff's song by "using the three-syllable vocal phrase 'We gonna' and rhythmic pattern a total of 41 times, as a strong hook in the song."