Missy Elliott Trial Over Copyright Claims

Terry Williams says he helped write some of Missy Elliott’s songs in the ’90s but didn’t get any credit.

Judge Orders Trial

A judge has decided Missy Elliott must go to trial because of a lawsuit from Terry Williams, who claims he co-wrote some of her songs. Williams says he worked with Elliott on several tracks in the ’90s, yet his name is missing from the credits.

Ruling on Dismissal

The judge, Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro, reviewed Williams’ case and decided not to dismiss it. However, she did partially agree with Elliott’s request for summary judgment regarding the song “Heartbroken,” which was sung by Aaliyah.

Disputes Over Collaboration

Elliott’s legal team argued that she didn’t meet Williams until after the songs in question were already produced. Williams disagreed, stating that he and Elliott collaborated between 1993 and 1996. These disputed songs are from the album 4 All the Sistas Around Da World, released in 1994. The judge decided this matter should be settled by a jury.

"Considering these conflicting arguments and evidence, a genuine issue of material fact exists as to whether Williams and Elliott were working together at the time of the production of the SISTA album 4 All the Sistas Around Da World and whether Williams’ contributions to the Unpublished Songs were used on derivative songs released on the album,” Judge Alejandro wrote.

Aaliyah’s “Heartbroken”

Williams also claimed he co-wrote Aaliyah’s song "Heartbroken" with Elliott for the 1996 album One in a Million. The judge, however, dismissed this part of the case because Williams knew for a long time that his name wasn’t listed in the song credits.

“Williams commenced this action against Elliott on November 14, 2018, over twenty-two years after the release of Heartbroken. Under these circumstances, this Court further finds that Williams has failed to offer evidence that he exercised due diligence. As such, Williams’ co-ownership claim based on the song Heartbroken released by Aaliyah is barred by the three-year statute of limitations. Accordingly, Elliott’s motion for summary judgment is granted as to Williams’ co-ownership claim based on Aaliyah’s song Heartbroken,” the judge explained.

Sometimes fans wonder why people wait so long to speak up.

No Immediate Responses

Elliott’s lawyer hasn’t commented yet, and neither has Williams.

Upcoming Pretrial Conference

Both sides will meet for a pretrial conference on Nov. 13.