‘Sonic’ songwriter sues Sega for $1million over iconic track
The writer of an iconic Sonic The Hedgehog track is suing Sega for $1million over ownership of the song.
Songwriter Johnny Gioeli was reportedly paid $3000 (£2400) to write lyrics for the theme for 2001’s Sonic Adventure 2. However, he went on to “arrange, produce, record and perform vocals” on the track ‘Live And Learn’ which was produced out of his home studio in California “using his own equipment without the supervision, control, or involvement” of Sega.
As well as Sonic Adventure 2, the track has featured in the recently released Sonic X Shadow Generations game as well as multiple Yakuza and Super Smash Bros. titles with Gioeli allegedly unaware of its wide-spread usage.
The lawsuit (via Polygon) has been filed by Gioeli, who claims Sega only has rights to the lyrics of the song and not the “master recording and musical composition” so he hasn’t been paid accordingly. He believes the “composition is likely jointly owned” and wants the Courts to make that official. The musician is also seeking $500,000 (£399,800) in damages and a further $500,000 in restitution.
“I have no comment other than my desire to maintain the preservation of a long standing beautiful relationship with Sega,” Gioeli told Polygon, with the songwriter previously working on multiple Sonic titles. “I do not want fans to draw conclusions or be disrupted from the beautiful memories we have made collectively with this music. I believe and hope we will come to a peaceful settlement that will be fair and just.”
‘Live And Learn’ can also be heard in the Sonic The Hedgehog 3 movie, though Gioeli reportedly signed a deal with Paramount for its inclusion.
In other news, a fourth Sonic The Hedgehog movie has been confirmed and will be released in 2027. The recently-released third film introduced Shadow (voiced by Keanu Reeves) with Sonic (Ben Schwartz), Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey), Knuckles (Idris Elba) and Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) teaming up to confront the dark hedgehog.
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Ali Shutler
NME
