Summary of Action
Sony appealed the decision and, in 2018, a California appellate court determined that because Sony lacked “personal knowledge” of the songs’ origins, the statements it made on the album cover and in the video amounted to the music company’s opinion and not actionable commercial speech.
The controversial case then went to the Supreme Court in California for review, where TINA.org joined other consumer advocates that include UC Berkeley Center for Consumer Law & Economic Justice, as well as Consumer Action, in an amici curiae brief filed on December 11, 2020 explaining, among other things, the significant consequences of allowing a sophisticated corporation like Sony Music to shield itself from liability for promotional statements made to consumers about one of its music albums.
The California Supreme Court will be hearing the case in 2021. Check back for updates.