Judge Denies Bad Bunny Nearly $500,000 in Legal Fees in Un Verano Sin Ti Sample Case

In a recent legal development involving one of the biggest names in Latin music, a federal judge has declined Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny’s petition to recover substantial legal expenses. The artist sought reimbursement totaling $465,612 following a copyright infringement lawsuit connected to his 2022 album, Un Verano Sin Ti.

The dispute centered on the track “Enséñame a Bailar,” which incorporates a sample from Nigerian musician Dera’s 2019 song “Empty My Pocket.” The case was brought against Bad Bunny by Empawa Africa, a company affiliated with Dera, asserting unauthorized use of the sampled work.

Although the lawsuit was dismissed earlier this year due to the plaintiffs’ failure to comply with court deadlines, Judge Otis D. Wright II ruled against awarding legal fees to Bad Bunny. The ruling, issued on August 20th, emphasized that Empawa Africa’s claim was sufficiently reasonable to pursue, thereby not warranting penalty reimbursement for the defendant’s legal costs.

Bad Bunny’s legal team had argued that the sample was lawfully licensed via the production company Lakizo Entertainment, asserting the lawsuit lacked merit and was driven by an attempt to secure an unwarranted financial settlement. Despite these assertions, the court noted that the defendant had not provided adequate documentation to confirm proper licensing for the sampled material.

The judge’s decision underlined the importance of safeguarding intellectual property rights and indicated that awarding attorneys’ fees in this case could discourage legitimate claims from rights holders. By denying the fee recovery, the ruling maintains a cautious balance between protecting artists’ creative outputs and respecting lawful claims of infringement.

This case highlights the complexities artists face when incorporating samples into their work, especially involving cross-continental collaborations and licensing arrangements. While Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti achieved critical and commercial success, this legal episode serves as a reminder of the challenges surrounding sample clearance and copyright enforcement.

Details about the precise licensing agreements or the internal handling of the sample by Bad Bunny’s team have not been fully disclosed, leaving certain aspects of the case unresolved in public records. However, the dismissal of the suit itself removed any immediate legal threat to the artist’s album.

Empawa Africa’s initiative to assert rights over the sampled track demonstrates an active effort by artists and affiliated companies to monitor and enforce copyright protections internationally. The ruling reflects judicial recognition of their right to seek legal recourse, even if the outcome ultimately favored Bad Bunny by dismissing the claims.

As sampling continues to be a common practice across music genres, this case exemplifies the ongoing legal negotiations that underpin modern music production. It also underscores the necessity for transparent and documented licensing processes to avoid protracted litigation.

While Bad Bunny will not be reimbursed for his legal expenditures, the outcome affirms the need for thorough due diligence in sample clearance practices. Industry participants and observers alike may view this as a cautionary tale about the interplay between creative freedom and intellectual property rights in contemporary music.