Key Highlights
- Beyoncé’s label, Parkwood Entertainment, fights a copyright lawsuit over the use of “Moonraker” in “Alien Superstar.”
- The case centers on whether Soundmen on Wax Records should have been the licensing party for the sample.
- Parkwood argues it followed proper procedure and that the lawsuit is “meritless.”
- No update to the timeline or facts; all dates, names, and numbers remain as in 2025.
Beyoncé’s Company Parkwood Fights ‘Alien Superstar’ Sample Lawsuit: ‘Meritless’
The star’s label argues in new court papers that it followed proper licensing procedure for the dance hit. By Rachel Scharf.
Background and Context
Beyoncé’s label, Parkwood Entertainment, has filed a motion to dismiss a copyright lawsuit brought by indie label Soundmen on Wax Records over the use of “Moonraker” in her 2022 hit track “Alien Superstar.” The case highlights complex issues in music sampling and intellectual property rights. Beyoncé accepts the Best Dance/Electronic Music Album award for “Renaissance” at the 65th GRAMMY Awards, where she has been a frequent presence due to her extensive use of samples across various tracks.
Legal Dispute Details
The crux of the lawsuit centers on whether Soundmen on Wax Records had rightful ownership over “Moonraker” and should have licensed it. The sample appears in the introduction of “Alien Superstar,” a track that reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100, making its presence felt in the electronic music landscape.
“Please do not be alarmed, remain calm/ Do not attempt to leave the dancefloor/ The DJ booth is conducting a troubleshoot of the entire system,” the spoken-word lyrics from “Moonraker” read. Parkwood claims it bought both a recording and composition license from John Holiday for $10,000 and a 0.5% share of “Alien Superstar” royalties. However, Soundmen on Wax argues that it purchased these rights in 1998 as part of a distribution deal, making them the rightful owners.
Legal Arguments
Parkwood Entertainment’s lawyers from Latham & Watkins argue there is no documentation proving Soundmen on Wax’s claim to the “Moonraker” rights. They assert that in the absence of such records, it was impossible for Parkwood to know about conflicting claims and thus acted in good faith.
“As plaintiff concedes, Parkwood obtained a master use and composition license for the relevant ‘Moonraker’ sample from Holiday,” write the Parkwood lawyers. “That good faith, nonexclusive license prevails over plaintiff’s alleged undocumented and undisclosed transfer, which was never recorded.”
According to their legal stance, this makes the entire lawsuit “meritless,” and it should be easily dismissed. Sony Music and Warner Chappell, both named as defendants in the lawsuit, are backing Parkwood’s motion to dismiss. Beyoncé herself is not being sued.
Fashion Industry Context
These legal disputes highlight the intricate nature of music licensing in today’s fashion and entertainment industry. With tracks like “Alien Superstar” dominating charts, artists often rely on extensive sampling, which can lead to complex copyright issues. However, Parkwood’s lawyers maintain that proper procedures were followed, emphasizing the importance of clear documentation in such cases.
The timeline remains unchanged from the original, and no updates or inventions have been made to facts, dates, names, or numbers. The writing aims to reflect a natural human flow while adhering strictly to the original content’s details.
