The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has provided Nigerian musician Davido with a 21-day window to respond to accusations of intellectual property theft outlined in a recent lawsuit.
This legal ruling represents a pivotal juncture for the artist, who now faces the challenge of defending himself against allegations that could potentially impact both his career and public image.
Four Nigerian artists have filed a lawsuit against Davido, claiming he used their song ‘Work’ to create his own track, ‘Strawberry on Ice,’ without their consent.
The legal action targets not just Davido but also Emmerson, who played a role in the original track, as well as Wynn Records, the label responsible for the song’s release and distribution.
According to court filings, the musicians first shared their demo with Davido in January 2022, hoping to explore a potential collaboration.
The group claims that Davido used their song without permission, choosing to collaborate with another artist, Emmerson, instead.
Following discussions with Davido, he consented to a settlement of $45,000 along with a royalty division, which is scheduled to commence on March 14, 2025.
Although Davido promised to adhere to the March 24 deadline agreed upon by all parties, he ultimately failed to fulfill the commitment.
Consequently, his lack of action prompted the group to pursue legal measures against him and his co-defendants, leading to a lawsuit being filed on April 4 in New York.
Their demands include financial compensation of $150,000, a stake in the copyright for ‘Strawberry on Ice’, and a legal measure to halt any ongoing infringement.
At this time, neither Davido nor Wynn Records has made any public comments about the ongoing lawsuit.
