Kesha Denied Injunction Against Dr. Luke
Bad news for Kesha: The pop star has been denied an injunction releasing her from her contract with Dr. Luke’s Sony-affiliated Kemosabe Records. Kesha sued Dr. Luke for sexual assault and emotional abuse last year, claiming that the producer and record executive had drugged and assaulted her among other offenses, and Dr. Luke countersued for extortion.
According to tweets from Buzzfeed reporter Mary Georgantopoulos, a New York State Supreme Court judge ruled that Sony has provided Kesha with the opportunity to record without Dr. Luke. Kesha’s lawyer Mark Geragos described that gesture as an “elusive promise” and indicated that Sony has sided with Dr. Luke and would not promote new music she records without him: “They’re setting her up to fail.” The judge communicated that it seems unlikely that a competitive business like Sony would not try to recoup their investment in Kesha: “There has been no showing of irreparable harm. She’s being given opportunity to record.” Sony’s lawyer added, “Our interest is in her success. Our interest in in Dr. Luke’s success. They are not in the least bit mutually exclusive.” Check out Georgantopoulos’ tweets from the courtroom below.
[Note: The original wording of this post indicated that Dr. Luke “drugged and seduced” Kesha. That was inaccurate. Kesha accused Dr. Luke of drugging and sexually assaulting her. This post has been amended to reflect that.]
First motion court is discussing is the preliminary injunction, in which #Kesha has asked to get out of her contract with Dr. Luke.
— Mary Georgantopoulos (@marygeorgant) February 19, 2016
Judge says Sony has given #Kesha the opportunity to record w/ no involvement from Dr. Luke. @markgeragos calls it an "elusive promise"
— Mary Georgantopoulos (@marygeorgant) February 19, 2016
#Kesha's lawyer says even w/ new Sony offer, "they're setting her up to fail" bc they won't promote her music. Says Sony sided w/ Dr Luke.
— Mary Georgantopoulos (@marygeorgant) February 19, 2016
Judge: You’re asking me to presume an entity like Sony, who is in competitive position … will not want to make money on their investment.
— Mary Georgantopoulos (@marygeorgant) February 19, 2016
#Kesha sitting in the back of the courtroom, sobbing. Her mom is by her side.
— Mary Georgantopoulos (@marygeorgant) February 19, 2016
Sony lawyer says an injunction would "turn the law on its face." #Kesha
— Mary Georgantopoulos (@marygeorgant) February 19, 2016
#Kesha's motion for preliminary injunction denied. "There has been no showing of irreparable harm. She’s being given opportunity to record."
— Mary Georgantopoulos (@marygeorgant) February 19, 2016
Kesha just came out. It's undecided, decision is to be decided #FreeKesha pic.twitter.com/ZlyqWWps7i
— Team Kesha Rose (@crazykeshafans) February 19, 2016