U.S. Judge Rules Against Copyrighting Musical Rhythms, Preventing 'Dembow Riddim' Ownership Claim
A U.S. judge has ruled against a lawsuit seeking to copyright the 'dembow riddim,' a foundational beat in reggaeton and dancehall music. The estate of Wycliffe 'Steely' Johnson and his partner Cleveland 'Clevie' Brown filed a lawsuit in California in 2021 against Universal Music and Warner Chappell Music, claiming ownership of the 'dembow riddim' originating from their 1989 B-side track 'Fish Market.' They argued that any song using this 'boom-ch-boom-chick' rhythm infringed on their copyright, demanding significant compensation and damages. The case, which lasted nearly five years, was initially sent to a jury by Judge André Birotte Jr., but he later reversed his decision. The judge ultimately ruled that the plaintiffs failed to establish a case for control of the rhythm, stating their claim was based on a 'Frankenstein copyright' involving three separate songs, not a single standalone copyrighted work. This decision prevents a potential 'copyright apocalypse' where thousands of songs using the rhythm cou... 
