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Monster & CEO Noel Lee Get Beat Again; Award to Beats is ‘Final and Binding’

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A Monster slide extolling the creation of Beats
At CE Week in 2014, Monster takes credit for Beats by Dr. Dre

After Many Years & Many Appeals, This Might Be It

It was eight years ago – all the way back to January 2015 – when I first reported on what looked to be a pretty ugly legal action beginning between Monster, LLC and Beats Electronics, LLC. While the lawsuit filed by Monster took place in January 2015, the actions that led them to that point actually began much earlier than that, all the way back to 2011. And the relationship between the two significant CE brands actually began even further back to 2009, when the two came together to create Beats by Dr. Dre headphones, the wildly popular consumer headphone brand.

But when the relationship ended…it ended badly…

Learn more about this latest loss by Monster, to the benefit of Beats (Apple)

[Read more…] about Monster & CEO Noel Lee Get Beat Again; Award to Beats is ‘Final and Binding’

Appeals Court Rules Against Monster & Noel Lee; They Must Pay Beats $14+Mil

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This long and complex series of intertwined legal actions between Monster LLC (and all other Monster related parties) and Beats Electronics LLC (and all other Beats related entities) seemed to be winding down. Back in 2016, I reported on the lower court ruling in favor of Beats who had filed several motions for summary judgment. It seemed as though this was the end, but in 2018, more actions ensued.

Now, 5 years in, have we reached the end?…

[Read more…] about Appeals Court Rules Against Monster & Noel Lee; They Must Pay Beats $14+Mil

Far From Legally Dead, Monster Slugs Back at Beats

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Beats Gets More Awarded; But Monster Wins a Key Ruling Too

Photo of Noel LeeWhen we last visited this legal clash of the titans, a jury had just found that Monster must pay Beats nearly $8 million to reimburse them for the legal expenses in fighting the lawsuit that Monster had brought against them in 2015. Now, we have learned that the judge in that case has increased the judgment with an additional “directed” verdict. And in the matter of a separate case, Beats vs. Monster filed late last year, Monster has filed a countersuit and won a key ruling.

This Beats and Monster slugfest goes on… [Read more…] about Far From Legally Dead, Monster Slugs Back at Beats

Beats Wins; Monster Loses Lawsuit Over Alleged Dirty Dealing

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Trial is Now on Defendants’ Efforts to Recover Lawyers Fees

Photo of Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine
Dr. Dre & Jimmy Iovine of Beats

The fat lady hasn’t sung yet, but it’s pretty much all over for Monster LLC and Noel Lee’s lawsuit against Beats Electronics LLC, Andre Young (a/k/a Dr. Dre), Jimmy Iovine, Paul D. Wachter (a Beats director), HTC America Holding, Inc and Does 1-25 (defendants to be named later). LA Superior Court Judge William F. Fahey has dismissed Monster’s lawsuit in its entirety, and has scheduled a trial that is now only on the claims by the defendants against Monster for attorneys fees and other costs.

See more on this stunning defeat for Monster… [Read more…] about Beats Wins; Monster Loses Lawsuit Over Alleged Dirty Dealing

Tidal Targets Netflix – Adding Movies to Service

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Company Reports Stunning Growth Numbers

Photo of Jay Z and Beyonce
Jay Z, with his wife Beyonce

Tidal, the high quality music streaming service purchased by rapper Jay Z one year ago, is said to be adding movie streaming to their service, Page Six (part of the New York Post) reported yesterday. According to the report, Tidal has already notified Apple that it intends to add movie streaming to its app, formally starting the required approval process.

Tidal has had an exceptionally challenging year, with three CEOs in nine months. Will opening up to competition on a movie service make things better?

See more on this surprising development… [Read more…] about Tidal Targets Netflix – Adding Movies to Service

After Transfer to L.A., Monster vs. Beats Picks Up Again

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Beats Won Round One; Monster Wins Round Two

Photo of Noel Lee
Noel Lee at a past CE Line Show

It’s been ten months now since Beats Electronics, LLC won their motion to transfer the lawsuit brought against them by Monster, LLC, from San Mateo courts up in Northern California to their home turf of Los Angeles – a big win that reduces their costs and increases their comfort. But if Beats thought that their hometown courts would give them an advantage by being more favorable to their position in this case – they got a rude awakening earlier this month, when the LA judge offered a mixed ruling on several issues that mostly went against Beats’ desires.

See more on our update on this clash of titans in the headphone game… [Read more…] about After Transfer to L.A., Monster vs. Beats Picks Up Again

More Than 7 Out of 10 Music Industry Execs Say Tidal Won’t Last a Year

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Tidal logoIf I were Jay Z’s publicist, I’d be nervous right now. The popular rapper’s reputation as a savvy businessman is in serious jeopardy. Billboard, one of the oldest and most prominent music industry publications, has recently launched a new annual survey of the top “A-list music business professionals.” In order to capture their honest opinions, the survey is conducted on an anonymous basis. While not exceptionally detailed or deep, the survey is meant to cover a “broad range of temperature-taking topics.”

The results of this inaugural effort offered some surprises – including the fact that more than 7 out of 10 of these top music industry executives predict that the Tidal music streaming service won’t survive its first year – a remarkable no-confidence vote in Jay Z, Tidal’s owner.

See more on the surprising results from this first every survey… [Read more…] about More Than 7 Out of 10 Music Industry Execs Say Tidal Won’t Last a Year

Apple Faces the Music – Multiple Investigations Launched

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Apple Music logoJust days after Apple, Inc. announced its plans to attempt to reassert its leading role in the music distribution and streaming businesses, we learn from the New York Times that two powerful state attorneys general in New York and Connecticut have launched an investigation into Apple’s music licensing practices. The purpose of the investigation is to determine if Apple has broken any antitrust laws in cutting deals that allegedly restrict music industry providers from offering their content on a free basis with other services.

See why there is suspicion of anti-competitive practices by Apple… [Read more…] about Apple Faces the Music – Multiple Investigations Launched

Backing Beats – Apple Launches Retaliatory Attack on Monster

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BREAKING NEWS

Monster’s Noel Lee Talks to Us About Latest Lawsuit Developments

Monster logoAs many regular readers know, Strata-gee has been closely following the litigation between Monster, LLC and Beats Electronics, LLC. Although the matter is really just getting started, it appears to be getting really ugly, really quickly. Now we have learned that Apple, Inc. has taken several actions that, according to Monster CEO Noel Lee (who is known as the Head Monster), are pure retaliation over this lawsuit – even though Monster did not sue Apple.

See more on Apple’s actions against Monster that it says are retaliatory… [Read more…] about Backing Beats – Apple Launches Retaliatory Attack on Monster

Bad Omen? Beats Wins Round 1 of Monster vs. Beats

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Judge Agrees with Beats, Transfers Case to Home Turf in LA

Beats by Dr. Dre LogoWe first told you about Monster, LLC and CEO “Head Monster” Noel Lee filing a lawsuit against Beats, LLC alleging fraudulent practices back in January, in a post that was titled in part “Risky Business.” Perhaps now Monster is getting a taste of the riskiness of taking matters to court as they have lost their first battle, on the first issue – where the case would be heard.

Learn more about why the judge found against Monster, and for Beats, on this first issue… [Read more…] about Bad Omen? Beats Wins Round 1 of Monster vs. Beats