Overview
- On Oct. 29, Drake filed a notice of appeal to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals seeking to overturn the dismissal of his lawsuit against Universal Music Group.
- U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas dismissed the case on Oct. 9, ruling the lyrics at issue were nonactionable opinion given the diss-track context and a reasonable listener standard.
- Drake sued UMG—not Kendrick Lamar—alleging the label promoted and profited from the song and even coordinated stream boosting, allegations the court said were inadequately supported.
- UMG welcomed the dismissal as a defense of creative expression, while Drake’s representatives said formal appellate arguments will be filed in the coming weeks.
- The appeals process is expected to take months or longer and could shape how courts weigh artistic expression against defamation claims in high-profile music disputes.