Kesha v. Dr. Luke

Sebert v. Gottwald
CourtNew York Supreme Court
DecidedNot allegeable
Case history
Prior actionNot allegeable
Subsequent actionSettled
Court membership
Judges sittingShirley Kornreich, Jennifer Schecter

Kesha v. Dr. Luke refers to a series of lawsuits and countersuits between the singer Kesha Rose Sebert (Kesha) and the music producer Łukasz Sebastian Gottwald (Dr. Luke). Sebert filed a civil suit against Gottwald in October 2014 for infliction of emotional distress, sex-based hate crimes and employment discrimination.[1] Gottwald filed a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court in which he sued Sebert and her mother, Rosemary Patricia "Pebe" Sebert, for defamation and breach of contract.[2][3][4]

Gottwald (Dr. Luke) has denied all of the allegations. In the legal documents filed in support of his defamation suit against Sebert (Kesha), he claims that Kesha and her mother made "defamatory statements in an attempt to extort Gottwald [Dr. Luke] into releasing Kesha from her exclusive recording agreement".[5] This New York lawsuit resulted in the staying (or a stop to the legal proceedings) of a California lawsuit where Kesha claimed Dr. Luke was liable for sexual harassment, misogyny, civil harassment, violation of California's laws against unfair business practices, infliction of emotional distress (both intentional and negligent), and negligent retention and supervision.[5] In her New York counter-claim, Kesha alleged that Dr. Luke "sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally" abused her since the beginning of their professional relationship. The suit alleged he drugged and raped her on two occasions, made threats against Kesha and her family, and called her derogatory names.[6]

On February 19, 2016, a request made by Sebert (Kesha) for a preliminary injunction was denied.[7] Kesha appealed the decision the following month.[8] On April 6, 2016, New York Justice Shirley Kornreich, dismissed all of Kesha's counter-claims against Gottwald (Dr. Luke).[9] Kesha and her legal team appealed the injunction decision, and on June 7, 2016, Kesha was recorded in a deposition stating all the allegations' details.

On June 22, 2023, Kesha and Dr. Luke released a joint statement saying they have reached a settlement.[10]

  1. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (April 7, 2016). "New York State Judge Rejects Kesha's Claims in Dr. Luke Case". The New York Times. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  2. ^ Puth, Charlie. "Charlie Puth Talks Kesha and Dr. Luke's Legal Battle". E! Online. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  3. ^ Hendicott, James (February 25, 2016). "Sony break silence on Kesha v Dr Luke case: 'Sony is not in a position to terminate the contract'". NME. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  4. ^ Jagannathan, Meera (May 22, 2016). "Kesha vs. Dr. Luke and Sony: Ahead of the Billboard Music Awards, an explainer of their legal clash". New York Daily News. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Merriman, Rebecca (February 20, 2016). "Kesha's dramatic legal battle with alleged rapist Dr Luke". The Daily Mirror.
  6. ^ Mejia, Paula (February 19, 2016). "What's going on with the Kesha and Dr. Luke debacle?". Newsweek.
  7. ^ Ledbetter, Carly (May 18, 2016). "Judge Rules Kesha's Sexual Assault Allegations Aren't Enough To Free Her From Contract". The Huffington Post.
  8. ^ Gardner, Eriq (March 21, 2016). "Kesha Appeals Judge's Denial of Dr. Luke Injunction". Billboard.
  9. ^ Redden, Molly (April 6, 2016). "Judge dismisses Kesha's sexual assault case against producer Dr Luke". The Guardian. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  10. ^ Rosenbloom, Alli (June 22, 2023). "Kesha and Dr. Luke resolve years-long legal dispute". CNN. Retrieved July 15, 2024.