Copyright Lawsuit Targeting Reggaeton Could Change The Genre Forever

Afiled by representatives of Jamaican production duo Steely & Clevie, who argue that a defining rhythmic structure used throughout reggaeton originates in their late-1980s recordings. Their claim centers on three tracks—an instrumental B-side and two dancehall releases—that they say laid the blueprint for what later became known as dembow. According to the lawsuit, that blueprint has been replicated in more than 100 songs without authorization. Named defendants include major figures from Latin pop and urban music, such as Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, and Pitbull. The artists are collectively represented by legal teams who argue that the lawsuit seeks to claim ownership of basic musical ingredients rather than a specific, protectable work. Reggaeton took shape in the 1990s as Puerto Rican producers blended Jamaican dancehall rhythms with Spanish-language rap, building club records around a repeating, syncopated beat. Over time, that sound moved from local scenes to global charts. Today, reggaeton artists regularly pull in tens of millions of monthly listeners on streaming platforms, making the financial exposure in this case significant. The lawsuit has been working its way through federal court since 2022, when a judge consolidated multiple claims and allowed discovery to proceed. Now the case sits in the summary judgment phase, where the court must decide whether the plaintiffs’ theory is strong enough to be heard by a jury. The core issue is whether rhythm—particularly a rhythmic “design” drawn from multiple songs—can qualify as original expression under copyright law. EXPLORE COMPLEXCON Copyright Lawsuit Targeting Reggaeton Could Change the Genre Forever A decades-old Jamaican beat is at the center of a massive copyright fight that could rewrite how Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, and more make reggaeton hits. BERNADETTE GIACOMAZZO FEBRUARY 6, 2026 SHARE ADD COMPLEX ON GOOGLE Lawsuit Targeting Reggaeton Music Could Change the Genre Forever PHOTO BY FRANK HOENSCH/REDFERNS A high-stakes copyright fight is closing in on a moment that could alter how reggaeton is made, credited, and monetized. According to Puck, the case was filed by representatives of Jamaican production duo Steely & Clevie, who argue that a defining rhythmic structure used throughout reggaeton originates in their late-1980s recordings. Play Their claim centers on three tracks—an instrumental B-side and two dancehall releases—that they say laid the blueprint for what later became known as dembow. According to the lawsuit, that blueprint has been replicated in more than 100 songs without authorization. Named defendants include major figures from Latin pop and urban music, such as Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, and Pitbull. The artists are collectively represented by legal teams who argue that the lawsuit seeks to claim ownership of basic musical ingredients rather than a specific, protectable work. Reggaeton took shape in the 1990s as Puerto Rican producers blended Jamaican dancehall rhythms with Spanish-language rap, building club records around a repeating, syncopated beat. Over time, that sound moved from local scenes to global charts. Today, reggaeton artists regularly pull in tens of millions of monthly listeners on streaming platforms, making the financial exposure in this case significant. The lawsuit has been working its way through federal court since 2022, when a judge consolidated multiple claims and allowed discovery to proceed. Now the case sits in the summary judgment phase, where the court must decide whether the plaintiffs’ theory is strong

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