Overview of the Lawsuit
- Johnny Gioeli, renowned singer and songwriter known for his work on Sonic the Hedgehog, is taking legal action against Sega over the unauthorized use of “Live and Learn.”
- The claim specifies that Sega only acquired rights to the song’s lyrics, neglecting the remainder of the composition.
- This legal dispute could potentially cost Sega upwards of $500,000 due to the alleged contract violation.
Johnny Gioeli, celebrated for crafting some of the most memorable themes in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, has initiated a lawsuit against Sega regarding the iconic track “Live and Learn” from Sonic Adventure 2. Fans of modern Sonic titles are likely well-acquainted with Gioeli and his contributions, particularly as a key member of the rock band Crush 40. The music created by Gioeli and his band is closely associated with the franchise, and he has performed these notable tracks live numerous times.
“Live and Learn” stands out as one of Crush 40’s most recognized Sonic tracks, featured prominently in the climactic boss battle of 2001’s Sonic Adventure 2 between Sonic, Shadow, and the formidable Biolizard. The song has garnered a special place in the hearts of fans who experienced the 3D games during their formative years. Since its debut, “Live and Learn” has been reintroduced in various other Sonic titles, including Shadow the Hedgehog (2005) and more recent releases like Sonic Generations and Sonic Frontiers, where players can enjoy it in in-game jukeboxes.
Details of the Lawsuit Against Sega
Regrettably, the track is now back in the news for less favorable reasons. Gioeli has alleged that Sega of America has improperly utilized “Live and Learn” in numerous games without proper compensation. Reports from Polygon indicate that Gioeli asserts Sega paid for rights solely to the lyrics, thereby infringing upon the contract by not including the broader composition’s rights. Notably, Gioeli claims ignorance regarding these additional uses, which span at least 25 different Sega games.
Gioeli has emphasized that he was aware only of “Live and Learn” ‘s inclusion in Sonic Adventure 2, learning from a fan that the song had appeared in several other Sonic titles. He also asserts ownership over the master recording, which is credited to Crush 40 rather than Sega. Gioeli has maintained and registered these rights diligently with music licensing agency BMI for decades, holding the copyright for the piece. He highlighted that more specific agreements were established for other Crush 40 Sonic tracks, which adequately safeguarded the rights to master recordings and compositions.
The present situation regarding “Live and Learn” differs, leading Gioeli to file the lawsuit earlier this month. His objective is to have a court clarify the rightful ownership of the song’s masters and to seek compensation for the financial losses incurred from its usage in subsequent games. According to Gioeli’s legal representation, damages resulting from Sega’s alleged breach of contract could exceed $500,000, in addition to restitution for unpaid royalties which may amount to a similar figure. As of now, Sega of America has not provided a comment on the ongoing legal matter.
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