Longtime Sonic Composer Sues Sega Over Alleged Unpaid Royalties, Song Use

As a lifelong gamer who’s grown up with Sonic the Hedgehog as a cherished part of my gaming journey, I find myself caught between the whirlwind of nostalgia and the legal tangles that surround the iconic theme song “Live and Learn.

In the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie, the well-known tune “Live and Learn” from Sonic Adventure 2 is set to make an appearance. However, this classic track has become a point of contention in a legal battle between its composer, Johnny Gioeli, and Sega. Gioeli is taking legal action against Sega of America for breach of contract, arguing that Sega only owns the rights to the song’s lyrics, not the complete composition.

In a lawsuit filed in California back in December, Gioeli asserts that he holds both the master recording and the composition rights for a particular song. He was oblivious to the fact that it had been utilized in at least 25 video games, such as re-releases of Sonic Adventure 2 and Yakuza 4. He alleges that Sega does not possess the necessary licenses for these usages, implying that he has not received his due compensation.

Gioeli shared with Polygon that he chooses to uphold the lasting, charming bond with Sega rather than offer additional comments. He asks fans not to jump to conclusions or be distracted from our cherished memories of making music together. He remains optimistic that we’ll find a harmonious resolution that is both fair and right.

In the 1990s, Gioeli started working alongside Jun Senoue, a composer for Sega. In 2001, he was compensated $3,000 for penning the lyrics to “Live and Learn.” The lawsuit claims that the nature of their work evolved, with Gioeli becoming more involved in the recording and production process of the song. Although “Live and Learn” is attributed to Crush 40, Gioeli insists that Sega has not been given credit. He has retained control over the song for a significant period and only recently became aware of its extensive usage after fans highlighted it this year.

According to Gioeli’s attorney, the potential compensation for the contract violation might exceed $500,000. Additionally, the unpaid royalties could amount to an additional $500,000 or even more.

According to court documents, it’s stated that Gioeli was in charge of every step of the recording process, from producing the track to arranging the song, guiding other musicians during their recordings, and even providing his own vocals.

In February, Gioeli publicly acknowledged that he had negotiated with Paramount for the rights to include his song in their movie. He stated, “I did, in fact, reach an agreement with Paramount for the use of my song [in the film].” The decision on how they will utilize it is entirely up to them. Now, Paramount legally holds the power to incorporate ‘Live and Learn’ wherever they deem fit.

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2024-12-19 19:39