Episode Details

A federal judge has sent the high-stakes reggaeton dembow copyright case to a jury, after experts clashed over whether the iconic beat — allegedly first created by Jamaican duo Steely & Clevie in 1989 — is eligible for copyright protection. The suit claims hundreds of global hits by Bad Bunny, Drake, Karol G, and others copied the rhythm without permission, while the defense argues it’s rooted in centuries-old traditions like the habanera, making it ineligible for copyright. The jury will now decide if those artists knowingly copied protected elements — a ruling that could reshape how music creation and ownership are understood in the digital age.

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