A renowned musician is embroiled in a legal dispute with his former business associate over the rights to an extensive catalog of influential music. George Clinton, the visionary behind Parliament-Funkadelic, has initiated legal proceedings against Armen Boladian and his entertainment entities for allegedly acquiring ownership of nearly 90% of Clinton’s musical works through dubious means. The lawsuit accuses Boladian of manipulating songwriter credits and coercing Clinton into signing incomplete contracts, leading to significant financial losses for the artist. This conflict highlights the ongoing challenges faced by creators in protecting their intellectual property.

The Alleged Manipulation of Songwriter Credits and Contracts

In this legal battle, the core issue revolves around the alleged manipulation of songwriter credits and contractual agreements. According to the filing, Boladian has systematically diluted Clinton’s share of royalties by adding fictitious songwriters to the credits. Additionally, he reportedly pressured Clinton into signing blank contracts and even signed agreements on Clinton’s behalf without authorization. This strategy has resulted in Boladian claiming ownership of Clinton’s extensive music catalog, including several hit songs that have become cultural landmarks.

Clinton’s allegations detail how Boladian exploited these tactics during their collaborative periods between 1968-1975 and 1981-1990. The lawsuit claims that Boladian’s actions have led to a significant economic injury for Clinton, who has lost out on millions of dollars in royalties. The complaint further suggests that Boladian may have targeted Clinton due to racial biases, expressing views that Black artists lacked the education or understanding to navigate complex legal matters. This perceived entitlement emboldened Boladian to defraud artists like Clinton, according to the filing.

Boladian's Legal Tactics and Their Impact on the Music Industry

Beyond the personal impact on Clinton, the lawsuit also sheds light on Boladian’s broader influence within the music industry. Boladian and his companies are known for frequently initiating lawsuits against other producers and artists for copyright infringement, particularly regarding samples from Clinton’s music. Despite owning little more than copyrights, these entities have aggressively pursued legal action, impacting numerous musicians. Meanwhile, Clinton has been left in the dark regarding the accounting of royalties owed to him, exacerbating his financial losses.

Clinton’s team argues that Boladian’s actions extend beyond this specific case, alleging that he has exploited other young and talented artists. The lawsuit references Boladian’s history of legal disputes with Clinton, dating back to 1981. In 2014, Clinton detailed these issues in his memoir, which led to a defamation lawsuit by Boladian. However, Clinton emerged victorious in 2021 when a jury ruled in his favor. Now, Clinton seeks justice through a jury trial, aiming to reclaim control over his invaluable musical legacy.