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UMG Claims Salt-N-Pepa Never Owned Four Albums

5/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Universal Music Group filed a brief Tuesday in the Second Circuit asserting Salt-N-Pepa never owned the four album copyrights.
Salt-N-Pepa sued in May to reclaim the four albums, Hot, Cool & Vicious and Very Necessary.
UMG argues that May 1986 contracts made the recordings works-for-hire, preventing termination under the 1976 Copyright Act.
After a district court dismissed the claim in January, Salt-N-Pepa appealed, keeping the dispute before the Second Circuit.

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Story summary

Universal Music Group filed a brief Tuesday in the Second Circuit asserting Salt-N-Pepa never owned the four album copyrights.
Salt-N-Pepa sued in May to reclaim the four albums, Hot, Cool & Vicious and Very Necessary.
UMG argues that May 1986 contracts made the recordings works-for-hire, preventing termination under the 1976 Copyright Act.
After a district court dismissed the claim in January, Salt-N-Pepa appealed, keeping the dispute before the Second Circuit.