Prince's Estate Sues Roc Nation Over Tidal's Claim on Streaming Rights

The two competing claims agree on one central fact: that Roc Nation and Tidal had an exclusive agreement to stream and sell HitNRun: Phase 1 for 90 days. But on almost every other point the two sides are opposed. Roc Nation asserted a second agreement, signed in July 2015, which gave Tidal the exclusive digital rights to Prince's music for a period of five years in exchange for an advance and subsequent royalties; it also said the Aug. 1 agreement allowed it exclusive streaming rights to Prince's "entire catalog of music, with certain limited exceptions, on the Tidal streaming service."

Prince's own statements and actions from the time period seem to support that some relationship was in place by July 2015; at the beginning of that month, the iconic artist pulled his music down from every streaming service except Tidal, and on Aug. 7 announced his agreement with Jay Z's company to release his next album through the service. "TIDAL have honored Us with a non-restrictive arrangement that once again allows Us to continue making art in the fashion We've grown accustomed 2 and We're Extremely grateful 4 their generous support," he said at the time.

NPG stated in its filing this week, however, that "Roc Nation and Tidal have not provided any documentation substantiating Roc Nation’s claim that it has rights to exploit any Prince Copyrighted Works in addition to the works that comprise the HitNRun: Phase 1 album." The trust representing the estate, however, without admitting that any documentation was valid, then terminated "any such license that might have existed."

The estate is suing for damages on copyright infringement grounds and demanding that Tidal stop exploiting the catalog. Roc Nation requested its agreements be allowed to stand and for access to the Bremer Trust's business dealings on behalf of the estate in order to protect its interests.

Earlier this month, the fate of Prince’s catalog on streaming services appeared to be put to bed after it was announced Universal Music Publishing Group had won the job to become exclusive worldwide publishing administrator for the artist’s entire catalog -- both released and unreleased. Tidal’s claim to exclusive streaming rights -- which Prince’s estate is now disputing in court -- has apparently put that on hold for now.