The potentially impactful decision came during a pretrial conference where Judge Jeanette Vargas denied Universal Music Group’s request to halt the discovery process. As we reported, this allows Drake’s attorneys to proceed with gathering evidence, including deposing company executives and reviewing internal records.

UMG had previously requested that the court delay discovery. That motion has now been denied, meaning that Drake can proceed with requesting access to documents that UMG has called “highly commercially sensitive”, including Lamar’s contracts with the record label.

UMG Central Europe chairman/CEO Frank Briegmann discusses the company's growth plans, superfan strategy and more at Universal Inside in Berlin.

Limp Bizkit filed a new lawsuit against UMG In California state court over withheld royalties for the once-again popular nu metal band.

UMG had previously requested that the court delay discovery. That motion has now been denied, meaning that Drake can proceed with requesting access to documents that UMG has called “highly commercially sensitive”, including Lamar’s contracts with the record label.

Universal Music Group’s lost a bid for an order blocking artificial intelligence company Anthropic from using copyrighted lyrics to train AI models.

The deal for Downtown – via the Virgin Music subsidiary – is one of several completed or agreed acquisitions by UMG including PIAS and 8Ball Music, all announced within a few months of each other. Downtown is home to two independent distributors, Fuga and CD Baby, which have a global reach for independents.