Sony Music has successfully resolved a significant legal dispute concerning the use of Whitney Houston’s iconic music in the 2022 biopic Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody. The lawsuit raised serious allegations that the producers responsible for the film had not adequately compensated for the rights to use her beloved songs, which are an integral part of her legacy.

The lawsuit, initiated earlier this year, claimed that the film’s production companies had entered into agreements for sync licenses to incorporate Houston’s timeless tracks such as “I Will Always Love You.” However, despite the film’s release over a year ago, Sony Music reported that they had yet to receive any payments for these crucial rights, raising concerns about the financial obligations of the filmmakers.

On Monday, attorneys representing Sony filed a motion in federal court in New York, indicating their intent to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit. The motion did not disclose specific terms of the settlement reached, and representatives from both sides have not responded to inquiries for further details or comments on the resolution.

Amid a thriving trend for musical biopics, such as the blockbuster success of 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody, which grossed over $900 million, and Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 film “Elvis,” which earned $288 million, “I Wanna Dance” was released in December 2022. Unfortunately, it received mixed reviews and only managed to generate a total box office return of $59.8 million, which was considered disappointing given the high expectations surrounding its release.

Just over a year later, Sony escalated its concerns by filing a copyright lawsuit, asserting that the film utilized “some of the most iconic and popular sound recordings of all time” without fulfilling the necessary payment obligations, raising questions about the legal use of Houston’s music.

The lawsuit, filed in February, detailed allegations that Anthem Films, Black Label Media, and other affiliated parties had executed a sync license agreement on December 5, 2022—less than a week before the film’s premiere. This agreement was meant to cover the use of various recordings of Houston’s songs, which included “Greatest Love of All,” “I’m Every Woman,” and the film’s title track, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.”

Sony contended that the producers entered into the agreement out of necessity, asserting that creating an authentic biopic about Whitney Houston’s life and musical career inherently required the use of her music to truly capture her artistic essence and influence on the music industry.

The label emphasized that musical biopics, by their very nature, demand the inclusion of the subject’s music, as it is nearly impossible to convey the significance of a musician’s creative genius, distinct style, and extraordinary talent without showcasing their musical contributions.

Despite the agreement, by August 2023, Sony indicated that no payments had been received under the contract. Upon notifying Anthem about the unpaid fees, it was reported that Anthem claimed to be awaiting funds from a tax credit promised by the state of Massachusetts. However, Sony stated that the anticipated payment never materialized, leading to further complications.

Sony’s legal team articulated that “As a result of Anthem’s failure to pay the fees to SME, it is clear that there was no license or authorization to use the SME Recordings used in the Film.” They noted that despite these issues, the film continued to be exhibited, distributed, and commercially exploited, raising serious concerns about copyright compliance and the proper use of Houston’s revered musical catalog.