Document Type

Blog Post

Publication Date

8-16-2026

Abstract

The billion-dollar Latin music industry is facing its most formidable opponent yet: Steely & Clevie.[1] While this name may be unfamiliar, the musical duo has raised a crucial issue against a seemingly settled principle of copyright infringement: whether a rhythm is copyrightable.[2] The rhythm in question is reportedly an integral part of the entire genre of reggaeton.[3] Nonetheless, Steely & Clevie decided to sue over 100 Defendants—including Bad Bunny, the most streamed artist in the world—for copyright infringement across almost 4,000 songs.[4] Now, one copyright infringement case has the power to dictate the future of reggaeton and severely disrupt music law precedent.

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