Cardi B has once again emerged victorious in a legal battle, as a federal judge dismissed a $50 million copyright infringement lawsuit related to her song “Enough (Miami).” However, the ruling does not mark the end of the legal conflict, as it leaves room for further developments.
The lawsuit was initiated by songwriters Joshua Fraustro and Miguel Aguilar, who claimed that Cardi B had copied their track “Greasy Frybread.” The court’s decision, issued on March 30, focused on technical legal issues rather than the music itself. The case was dismissed without prejudice, which means the plaintiffs could potentially refile the lawsuit.
Why the Case Was Dismissed
U.S. District Judge Fernando Rodriguez ruled that the plaintiffs’ case had several legal deficiencies. These included jurisdictional problems and the fact that the songwriters did not have a valid copyright registration when they filed the lawsuit.
Fraustro and Aguilar had argued that Cardi B’s performances in Texas provided grounds for the case to be heard there. However, the judge rejected this reasoning. He also determined that allowing further amendments to the complaint would be “futile.”
Cardi B’s legal team had previously pointed out that the plaintiffs attempted to shift their claims under Texas law only after realizing they lacked proper copyright protection. This strategy appears to have backfired, leading to the dismissal of the case.
The Music Question Was Never Answered
Seth Schachner, a former Sony Music and Microsoft executive who now serves as managing director of Strat Americas, explained that the case was dismissed due to clear legal reasons, including copyright registration, jurisdiction, and failure to demonstrate a real cause of action.
“This case didn’t even get to the question of substantial similarity,” Schachner said. In music copyright cases, the key issue is whether two songs are similar enough to constitute infringement. Typically, the accused must have had reasonable access to the original work.
“Even experts can disagree on what constitutes substantial similarity,” Schachner added. “No one owns chords, and some cases can even stump musicologists.”
Plaintiffs Say the Fight Isn’t Over
Despite the dismissal, the plaintiffs have made it clear that they intend to continue pursuing the case. They have since obtained a federal copyright registration for “Greasy Frybread,” which could allow them to refile the lawsuit in a different court.
Another Legal Win for Cardi B
This ruling adds to a series of courtroom victories for Cardi B. She was recently found not liable in a separate $24 million assault and battery lawsuit. She has also won previous cases involving defamation and copyright issues.
While the dismissal represents a temporary win, the core allegations surrounding “Enough (Miami)” remain unresolved. The dispute over the song continues, and the legal battle may not be over just yet.
