Photo Credit: Ricky Martin by Eva Rinaldi / CC by 2.0
A songwriter’s lawsuit against Ricky Martin over his 2014 hit “Vida” has been revived on appeal in a “perpetual quest” for “copyright justice,” sending the case back to trial for another round of litigation.
Songwriter Luis Adrián Cortés-Ramos has been granted the revival of his copyright infringement lawsuit against singer Ricky Martin. The case has been going back and forth in various iterations since 2014, when the song and its music video were first released.
In fact, the case has gone through three separate lawsuits and five different appeals. In the latest round, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled that Cortés-Ramos was denied a “full and fair opportunity” to exchange evidence during the pre-trial discovery process. As a result, the court vacated a summary judgement ruling and an order invalidating the songwriter’s copyright registration.
The dispute began over a 2013 SuperSong contest, which Martin and Sony co-sponsored to select an original song for possible inclusion on the official album of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Cortés-Ramos entered the contest, made it to the finals—and later accused Martin of copying his work.
According to Cortés-Ramos, Martin’s song and music video, “Vida,” unlawfully copied protectable elements of his submission. Martin clapped back, asserting that the contest documents clearly transferred any copyright interests Cortés-Ramos possessed to Sony, ultimately preventing him from pursuing infringement claims.
Fast forward to more than a decade later, after the litigation had generated multiple appeals before the First Circuit, and an earlier remand over copyright registration issues. Cortés-Ramos filed his most recent action alleging copyright infringement and fraudulent inducement—the latter of which was dismissed, while the copyright claim was allowed to proceed.
In a 41-page opinion released on Friday, the First Circuit revived the case, noting that the trial court had issued the ruling against Cortés-Ramos prematurely because it had not given him ample chance during the discovery phase to present his evidence.
“It took those sweeping actions without giving Cortés the benefit of a chance to pursue discovery, despite his repeated pleas for such an opportunity,” wrote Judge. O. Rogeriee Thompson in a three-judge panel ruling. “Cortés appeals on that ground […] and we agree with him on the discovery issue, so we vacate and remand for more litigation, yet again.”
That move will send the case back to the lower court, where Cortés-Ramos will get the opportunity to present his evidence during discovery. Afterward, the judge will (again) consider granting Martin a final judgment—which can, of course, be appealed once again.