Core Insights

'Empawa Africa Music Services Limited et al v. Benito Martinez Ocasio et al.'

1. Inside the Legal Storm: Superstar Bad Bunny is now at the center of a multi-million-dollar federal copyright lawsuit filed by Empawa Africa Music Services Limited, which claims his chart-topping hit “Enséñame a Bailar” unlawfully samples a Nigerian artist’s work.
2. A Global Clash Over Creative Rights: The plaintiffs, including Nigerian artist Dera, allege Bad Bunny and his label Rimas Entertainment lifted key elements from their 2019 track “Empty My Pocket,” thrusting global music streaming giants like Spotify and Apple into the legal crosshairs.
3. Case in Motion: With the lawsuit filed just last month and new developments emerging daily, all eyes are on the Central District of California as the court weighs complex questions of international copyright, fair use, and music industry practice.

By Samuel Lopez – USA Herald

LOS ANGELES, CA - In a legal twist sending shockwaves through the international music scene, global superstar Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) now finds himself at the center of a copyright lawsuit. Plaintiffs Empawa Africa Music Services Limited and Nigerian singer-songwriter Ezeani Chidera Godfrey (“Dera”) have filed suit in federal court, alleging Bad Bunny’s 2022 mega-hit “Enséñame a Bailar” was built on their original work—without permission or compensation. The complaint filed May 2, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, shows extraordinary case activity on the court’s docket considering the case’s short existence.

Background: The Battle Over Beats

Bad Bunny, widely known for breaking streaming records and pushing Latin music into the mainstream, has notched another, less enviable milestone: being named as a defendant in Empawa Africa Music Services Limited et al v. Martinez Ocasio et al, Case No. 2:25-cv-03944. At the core of the case is the allegation that “Enséñame a Bailar”—one of the standout tracks from Bad Bunny’s Grammy-winning album Un Verano Sin Ti—borrows key musical elements from Dera’s 2019 Afrobeat track “Empty My Pocket.” Plaintiffs argue that the use was not authorized and no royalties were ever paid.

Empawa Africa Music Services Limited, a powerhouse in Africa’s fast-growing music industry, has thrown its legal weight behind Dera, asserting that the hit song’s distinctive hook and rhythm were directly sampled or recreated from “Empty My Pocket.”

What the Lawsuit Claims

According to the 21-page complaint, Bad Bunny, Rimas Entertainment, and a host of co-defendants—including Apple, Spotify, Universal, and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing—were put on notice of the alleged copyright violation but have not settled the matter. The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction, damages, and disgorgement of profits tied to “Enséñame a Bailar,” which has amassed millions of streams worldwide.

Quote from the Complaint:
“Defendants willfully and unlawfully used Plaintiffs’ copyrighted work without consent, and continue to profit from the unauthorized use…”

The Docket: A Timeline of Legal Maneuvers

As of June 6, 2025, the court docket reveals a fast-evolving dispute:

May 2, 2025: Complaint filed in the Central District of California, assigned to Judge Otis D. Wright, II.

May 9-16, 2025: Multiple defendants, including Bad Bunny, Rimas, Apple, Spotify, and publishing companies, were formally served or waived service.

May 19-27, 2025: Parties stipulate to extensions of time to answer the complaint; defense deadlines set for late June and mid-July.

June 4-6, 2025: Plaintiffs file a notice voluntarily dismissing defendant Orchard Enterprises LLC without prejudice. The court issues a Minute Order formalizing the dismissal.

Who’s Who: The Parties

• Plaintiffs:
  • Empawa Africa Music Services Limited
  • Ezeani Chidera Godfrey (“Dera”)
• Defendants:
  • Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio)
  • Rimas Entertainment LLC
  • Apple Inc.
  • Spotify USA Inc.
  • Universal Music Corp., Warner-Tamerlane Publishing, and others

This is not the first time Bad Bunny has faced legal scrutiny over copyright and creative credit, but this lawsuit is unique in its global reach and the involvement of digital music giants. The case touches on the explosive growth of Afrobeat, the globalization of streaming, and the challenges artists and labels face as musical borders dissolve.

Expert Insight:
“Copyright law is still catching up to the realities of global music production and distribution. These cases force the courts—and the industry—to confront what ‘originality’ and ‘fair use’ really mean in an era of viral, borderless hits,”says intellectual property attorney Michael Fenner (not involved in this case).

Legal Arguments on Deck

Plaintiffs argue:
The musical elements central to “Enséñame a Bailar” are “strikingly similar” to “Empty My Pocket,” and no license or credit was ever provided.

Defendants are expected to counter:
Industry insiders predict a defense based on fair use, independent creation, or technical differences in the music. No formal answers have yet been filed, but recent dockets show defense attorneys seeking extensions.

What Happens Next?

With answer deadlines set for late June and mid-July, this summer could see motions to dismiss, settlement talks, or the first wave of substantive legal arguments. The removal of Orchard Enterprises LLC as a defendant, without prejudice, is a minor early shift—showing the case’s dynamic, fast-moving nature.

Industry Impact:
Music industry watchers say the outcome could influence how future international copyright claims are litigated, especially as cross-genre collaborations and global streaming continue to drive hit-making.

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