Rapper files motion for sanctions, claiming lawsuit over royalties and co-ownership is legally flawed
Nelly is taking a firm stand in his legal battle with former St. Lunatics bandmate Ali Jones, who filed a lawsuit claiming co-ownership of some of Nelly’s most iconic tracks, including “Country Grammar” and “Batter Up.” The rapper, born Cornell Haynes Jr., has filed a motion for sanctions, accusing Ali of bringing an outdated and legally flawed case to court.
Ali, who was part of Nelly’s group during their rise to fame in the early 2000s, alleges that he is owed royalties and credit for the aforementioned hits. However, Nelly’s legal team argues that the claims are too late, citing a 2021 letter from Nelly’s attorneys that explicitly rejected Ali’s ownership claims. This letter triggered a three-year statute of limitations, making Ali’s 2024 lawsuit invalid. Nelly’s lawyers also accuse Ali of intentionally omitting this letter from his amended complaint, describing it as an attempt to circumvent legal deadlines.
In addition to the royalties dispute, Ali accuses Nelly of copyright infringement and unjust enrichment. However, Nelly’s defense maintains that these claims are equally without merit. His attorneys argue that if Ali were indeed a co-owner of the tracks, copyright law prevents co-owners from suing each other for infringement. They also assert that the unjust enrichment claim is preempted by federal copyright law, making it irrelevant.
Nelly’s legal team is now pushing for the case to be dismissed and for sanctions to be imposed on Ali and his attorneys. They are seeking to have Ali cover Nelly’s legal fees, labeling the lawsuit as “objectively frivolous.” According to Mo’s lawyers, even basic legal research would have revealed the claims to be invalid.
The case comes as Nelly’s debut album Country Grammar approaches its 25th anniversary this June. To celebrate, he will perform a special anniversary set at the upcoming Stagecoach Festival.
