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Two high-profile lawsuits are turning up the volume on who really gets paid in music. Latin artist Rauw Alejandro is facing a $10M claim over alleged unauthorized samples on his album Saturno, while a court has ruled that Supertramp’s frontman must share streaming royalties with his bandmates — even decades after going solo. Both cases show that when it comes to copyright, samples, and splits, the law doesn’t forget.
ChaseLawyers Newsletter
August 26, 2025
Hi there,
This edition explores two lawsuits that dig into the heart of what makes music original — and who deserves to get paid when it’s played.
Rauw Alejandro is facing a copyright infringement lawsuit over alleged unauthorized reggaetón samples in tracks from his Saturno album, raising questions about how much borrowing crosses the line in genre production.
Meanwhile, Supertramp’s frontman has been ordered to share royalties with former bandmates after a lengthy legal dispute, spotlighting how tricky royalty rights can get when bands split but the music keeps making money.
Rauw Alejandro Hit With $10M Sample Lawsuit Over Saturno
Puerto Rican reggaeton star Rauw Alejandro is being sued for allegedly sampling multiple tracks from legendary DJ Nelson without permission. The lawsuit claims that five songs on Saturno incorporate elements from Nelson’s early reggaeton catalog, including drum patterns, melody lines, and production techniques. The plaintiff argues that these samples were used without proper clearance — a costly mistake, if proven true.
With damages sought at $10 million, the case underscores the ongoing tension between musical inspiration and legal infringement in genres that often thrive on creative borrowing. For artists and producers, this is yet another reminder: no matter the vibe, you still need the license.
Supertramp Frontman Ordered to Share Royalties With Bandmates
Roger Hodgson, former frontman of the British rock band Supertramp, has been ordered by a UK court to distribute streaming royalties from several of the band’s classic hits with his ex-bandmates. Hodgson argued that he retained sole rights to songs he wrote after leaving the band in 1983. However, the court disagreed, pointing to historic agreements and ongoing band branding that still tied him to the group’s collective rights.
The ruling adds to a growing body of cases reinforcing that split doesn’t always mean separate — especially when it comes to legacy works and music IP. Artists with long-running projects or band histories may want to revisit their contracts to avoid future surprises.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
 Rauw Alejandro Hit With Lawsuit Over Reggaeton Samples on ‘Saturno’ |  ‘Give a Little Bit’ Of Those Royalties: Court Says Supertramp Frontman Must Share Publishing |
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 | Barry Oliver Chase Barry Chase, Esq. is an honors graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School, and the founding partner of ChaseLawyers®. In addition to his entertainment attorney legal practice, Mr. Chase lectures regularly on the representation of media personalities, the legal “do’s and don’ts” of music, television, and film production, and the intricacies of film rights option agreements. |
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