Beyoncé Faces Renewed Copyright Suit Over Renaissance Sample

Hirose Entertainment and producer Shuji Hirose allege that while Beyoncé secured permission from performer John Holiday, the rights to the music were actually held by the company. According to court filings, the plaintiffs assert that Holiday transferred his stake in the work decades prior, rendering any agreement made solely with him invalid. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to halt further distribution of the track and demands an undisclosed sum in damages.

This litigation follows a recent procedural victory for Beyoncé’s label, Parkwood. A U.S. district judge previously dismissed a similar complaint from the same plaintiffs, noting that Hirose Entertainment did not legally exist at the time the initial suit was filed. Despite this dismissal, the company has renewed its efforts. Beyoncé’s team has faced similar accusations in the past, including claims from Right Said Fred and Kelis regarding samples on the same album. In those instances, representatives maintained that proper clearance was obtained, or clarified that the complaining parties lacked the necessary contractual authority to block the use of the material.