US Jury to Decide Copyright Claim Over Reggaeton's Dembow Rhythm

A U.S. federal judge has ruled that a jury, not a judge, will determine the outcome of a high‑profile copyright lawsuit involving the seminal “dembow” rhythm that underpins reggaeton. The case was filed by Jamaican production duo Steely & Clevie, who allege that their 1989 instrumental “Fish Market” was unlawfully copied in thousands of recordings, including tracks by Bad Bunny, Karol G, Drake, Daddy Yankee, Justin Bieber, Luis Fonsi, Pitbull and dozens of other artists. The judge, André Birotte Jr., found the expert testimony on both sides credible and sent the factual question of originality to a jury, leaving open the possibility of a trial that could result in damages worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The lawsuit, which covers roughly 1,800 to 18,000 songs, could reshape how copyright law applies to rhythmic patterns that are widely used in popular music. If Steely & Clevie succeed, it may set a precedent for protecting genre‑defining beats, while a loss could reaffirm the public‑domain status of such rhythms.