Sony Music bosses have lost their bid to keep contracts and financial records behind closed doors in the long-running case between the record producer and the 'Timber' singer.
- Oct 21, 2021
AceShowbiz - Sony Music bosses have lost their bid to keep Dr. Luke and Kesha's (previously written as Ke$ha) libel trial behind closed doors.
As a result, the public will now get to hear all about the inner workings of the music industry and how deals between producers and stars come together.
The libel suit between "Timber" singer Kesha and the record producer, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald, has been rumbling on for seven years after she made a rape accusation against him, and now New York Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Schecter has ruled that contracts and financial records can be unsealed, despite Sony Music executives' concerns.
Schecter will make evidentiary determinations on what's admissible and what's prejudicial before the trial begins.
Kesha has accused Dr. Luke, who has also worked with acts like Katy Perry and Britney Spears, of emotional and physical abuse, claiming he drugged and raped her. He went on to countersue Kesha, claiming she had breached her recording contract and concocted rape allegations in a bid to nullify the deal.
Back in 2020, it was determined that Kesha defamed Dr. Luke by publishing a false statement when she texted Lady GaGa and suggested he had raped Perry. Perry testified that the rape incident never happened.
The judge, however, later had a change of heart. In July, the judge ruled that the music producer will have to prove by clear and convincing evidence actual malice on Kesha's part when and if the warring parties take their spat to court.
The singer will also be allowed to seek compensatory and punitive damages, plus attorneys' fees and costs, for the lengthy legal battle.
