In a decisive legal victory for Latin urban music, a U.S. federal judge has dismissed a major copyright lawsuit that threatened to claim ownership over reggaeton's signature beat. The case, filed by Jamaican duo Steely & Clevie, sought to assert exclusive rights over the dembow rhythm—a foundational element of the genre—against Bad Bunny and more than 150 other artists, including Pitbull, Daddy Yankee, and Karol G.
Judge André Birotte Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California reversed his earlier stance and threw out the bulk of the lawsuit. The decision marks a significant win for Bad Bunny, whose legal team exposed critical flaws in the plaintiffs' arguments.
The 'Frankenstein' copyright claim falls apart
The plaintiffs had argued that their track "Fish Market" contained the dembow rhythm that allegedly appears in thousands of songs by Bad Bunny and others. However, Bad Bunny's defense demonstrated that the plaintiffs were attempting to stitch together elements from multiple separate, copyrighted works to create an artificial "collage"—a move that federal copyright law does not protect.
Judge Birotte acknowledged that he had initially missed a decisive flaw in the accusation: the alleged patented rhythm did not exist completely in any of the analyzed original tracks. This admission paved the way for the dismissal.
"The law strictly safeguards what an artist genuinely creates, not an improvised collage designed to claim compensation from Bad Bunny and over 150 music industry artists," said a representative from Bad Bunny's legal team.
The ruling halts what many specialists had categorized as a desperate attempt to monopolize the backbone of an entire global movement. It also brings relief to countless artists who had been caught in the crossfire of the lawsuit, which had cast a shadow over the creative process in reggaeton and Latin urban music.
A historic precedent for urban music
This victory is more than a personal win for Bad Bunny—it sets a precedent that protects collective creativity against speculative lawsuits that try to lock down artistic evolution. The decision reinforces that creative precedents cannot be manipulated at convenience, and it cements an exemplary defense of the sound heritage belonging to Benito and the entire Latino community.
For fans and artists alike, the news is a breath of fresh air. The urban music ecosystem can now continue innovating without the constant fear of unfounded legal retaliation over the characteristic dembow. As reggaeton's roots are celebrated in spaces like La Universidad del Perreo, this ruling reinforces the genre's legitimacy and cultural significance.
While Bad Bunny's legal team celebrated the dismissal, the case isn't entirely over—the judge denied a request for fee reimbursement, leaving Bad Bunny with a $465,000 legal bill. Still, the core victory stands, and the precedent is clear: the dembow belongs to the culture, not to any single claimant.
As Bad Bunny continues to dominate global stages, including his final Puerto Rico shows for the Debí Tirar Más Fotos era, this legal win adds another layer to his legacy. It also serves as a reminder that the genre's evolution is a collective journey, one that no single entity can own.
For now, artists from San Juan to Medellín can breathe easier, knowing that the rhythm that moves millions remains free to inspire and evolve.
