### Salt-N-Pepa's Legal Battle Over Master Recordings Concludes with Dismissal Salt-N-Pepa, the iconic hip-hop duo, faced a significant legal setback as a federal judge dismissed their lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) regarding the ownership of their master recordings. The ruling, delivered by U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, concluded that the duo never owned the copyrights to their early works, which were classified as "works made for hire" under their contract with UMG. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for artists' rights over their music catalogs, particularly for those from earlier generations of the music industry. ### Breakdown of the Legal Proceedings and Outcomes 1. **Background of the Lawsuit** - Salt-N-Pepa filed the lawsuit in May 2025, seeking to reclaim ownership of their master recordings from UMG, arguing that their original agreements allowed for such reclamation [https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/salt-n-pepa-lawsuit-against-umg-over-ownership-of-master-recordings-dismissed]. - The duo, consisting of Cheryl "Salt" James and Sandra "Pepa" Denton, rose to fame in the 1980s and signed with Next Plateau Records, which is now part of UMG [https://apnews.com/article/salt-papa-lawsuit-umg-masters-9b83d0064ba354460b8d104db05a4733]. 2. **Judge's Ruling** - Judge Cote ruled that Salt-N-Pepa did not establish ownership of the copyrights to their sound recordings, stating that the recordings were created as "works made for hire" [https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2026/01/08/salt-n-pepa-lawsuit-umg-dismissed]. - The judge emphasized that there was no evidence presented that indicated the duo had transferred any copyright rights to themselves [https://www.musicradar.com/artists/did-not-establish-that-they-ever-owned-the-copyrights-to-their-sound-recordings-let-alone-transferred-them-to-anyone-else-salt-n-pepa-lose-battle-over-ownership-of-masters-to-universal]. 3. **Implications for Artists** - This ruling highlights ongoing issues within the music industry regarding artists' rights and ownership of their work, particularly for those who signed contracts in earlier decades when industry practices were different [https://www.blackenterprise.com/salt-n-pepa-lose-fight-to-gain-control-of-their-masters-for-now]. - The dismissal of the lawsuit serves as a cautionary tale for artists seeking to reclaim their music rights, emphasizing the importance of understanding contractual agreements [https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/969863-salt-n-pepa-umg-lawsuit-dismissed-hip-hop-news]. ### Summary of Findings - **Conclusion of the Lawsuit**: Salt-N-Pepa's legal attempt to regain control of their master recordings from UMG has been officially dismissed by a federal judge, marking a significant loss for the duo [https://www.vulture.com/article/salt-n-pepa-masters-lawsuit-dismissed.html]. - **Legal Precedent**: The ruling reinforces the notion that many artists, particularly those from earlier eras, may not have the rights to their recordings due to contractual agreements that classified their work as "works made for hire" [https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/salt-n-pepa-umg-copyright-lawsuit-dismissed-1235496325]. - **Future Considerations**: This case may influence future discussions and legal battles regarding music ownership and artists' rights, highlighting the need for clearer contracts and protections for musicians [https://www.indulgexpress.com/culture/music/2026/jan/09/salt-n-pepas-legal-battle-for-masters-dismissed-by-new-york-court]. In summary, the dismissal of Salt-N-Pepa's lawsuit against UMG underscores the complexities of music ownership rights and the challenges artists face in reclaiming their work, particularly in light of historical contractual practices.