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Kesha Appeals Judge’s Ruling, Still Fighting To Get Out Of Sony Contract

By Niki Cruz
Published on: 08:38 PST, Mar 22, 2016

The internet celebrated when the Wrap reported that Sony was dropping Dr. Luke from his contract, in light of the backlash they’ve received. Weeks prior, the bad press hit hard as heavyweights in the industry publicly supported recording artist Kesha, who was ordered to complete her obligations for Sony, even though they allegedly turned a blind eye to sexual and emotional abuse she allegedly received by producer Dr. Luke.

Then, we learned Dr. Luke might not be dropped by Sony Music after all, as it was originally reported. With that bit of news, it’s said that, Kesha has decided to appeal her injunction denial. This isn’t a surprise to those that have been following the case, and the reaction the verdict has caused in the industry. As stated, Kesha wanted to be released from her contract, so she could be free of Dr. Luke and the company as a whole.

Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich ruled that Kesha was not to get an injunction that would let her record music under a different label. At the time, Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich said, “You’re asking the court to decimate a contract that was heavily negotiated and typical for the industry.”

The court agreed that it was enough for Sony Music to keep Dr. Luke away from Kesha, and would allow the recording artist to work outside of Sony’s Dr. Luke connection, even though he still had a major stake in her career.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Kesha has decided to appeal that decision by the courts. In documents that were released, Kesha’s attorney states, “First, the Court erred in basing its decision on its finding that Kesha could record without interference from Gottwald. Although it recognized that ‘slavery was done away with a long time ago’ and that ‘[y]ou can’t force someone to work … in a situation in which they don’t want to work,’ the Court’s ruling requiring Kesha to work for Gottwald’s companies, purportedly without his involvement, does just that.”

He argues that the court’s decision that keeps Kesha from leaving her contract early is keeping the singer from experiencing freedom. Kesha’s lawyer also accuses the judge of not hearing enough from music industry people during testimony on how this move could damage Kesha’s career.

As for Dr. Luke, his lawyers responded to the first indication that Kesha was pursuing an injection by stating, “If Kesha now regrets her career being mired in legal proceedings, it’s entirely of her making.”

When news of Dr. Luke’s dismissal from Sony made headlines, the producer’s spokesperson did damage control, and denied that Sony music was considering dropping the producer from their roster of clients. “Luke has an excellent relationship with Sony. His representatives are in regular contact with executives at the highest levels at Sony and this has never come up.”

In light of the overwhelming support Kesha has received from fans and veterans of the industry (Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato), as well as some members of the media, the singer, whose career is now in limbo, released a statement via her Facebook page.

Part of the statement read as follows.

“I’m so, so beyond humbled and thankful for all of the support I’ve received from everyone. Words cannot really express the emotions I’ve gone through reading and seeing how amazing everyone has been to me. I can’t believe that so many people all over the world took the time to show me support and love. Other entertainers who knowingly put their own careers at stake by supporting me, I will be forever grateful.”

[Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for Humane Society]

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