Iggy Azalea Granted Preliminary Injunction To Prevent The Posting Of Early Recordings

Kelley v. Primco Management, Inc., No. 14-cv-07263 (C.D. Cal. Jan. 12, 2015).

Pop star Iggy Azalea obtained a preliminary injunction based on claims that Defendants misappropriated the contents of her computer and began releasing infringing songs and music videos.  Defendants claims that they had authority to use Azalea's name, likeness and various intellectual property assets pursuant to a Recording Agreement.  Azalea claimed that the document was forged, and that was the key issue before the Court because no party disputed that Defendants had exploited Azalea's copyrights, trademarks and right of publicity.  The Court held an evidentiary hearing and discussed the evidence presented on whether the document was forged.  It concluded that, even though there was sharply conflicting testimony, Azalea had at the very least raised serious questions about the validity of the agreement, and therefore had raised serious questions going to the merits of her claims which were enough to grant a preliminary injunction.  The court then considered the factors necessary for a preliminary injunction -- likelihood of success on the merits, threat of irreparable harm, balancing the equities, and the public interest -- and found that an injunction was warranted.  Azalea was ordered to post a $20,000 bond.