Drake is preparing for another round in his legal fight with Universal Music Group. This sets the stage for a case that continues to draw wide industry attention. After his defamation lawsuit was dismissed in early October, the Toronto rapper moved quickly to appeal. This signals that the battle is far from over.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has now placed both sides on the calendar for a mediation session. It is scheduled on December 19 at 10:30 a.m. ET. Chief Circuit Mediator Kathleen M. Scanlon will lead the discussion by phone, according to reports. The session is expected to give both Drake and UMG a chance to lay out their positions. They will gauge the strength of their competing claims and determine if there is room for a negotiated resolution.
Drake’s legal push dates back to a lawsuit he filed in January. It quickly attracted headlines because of the explosive allegations at its center. The case rested on what Judge Jeannette Vargas called a “hefty” accusation against the rapper. However, she ultimately concluded the claim could not reasonably be taken as fact. “Although the accusation is serious,” she wrote, “the nature of a rap battle—often characterized by incendiary remarks—means that audiences do not expect to receive factual assertions.”
UMG Shifts Focus Ahead of Drake Mediation
UMG welcomed the dismissal and framed Drake’s original filing as an unnecessary attack on creative expression. The company has said it is eager to move past the dispute. It wants to return its attention to Drake’s music and ongoing projects.
What happens on December 19 could shape the trajectory of this conflict for months, if not years. A mediation that breaks in UMG’s favor may place added pressure on Drake. He continues to defend his position publicly and legally. With both sides preparing for a pivotal discussion, the outcome is likely to echo far beyond the courtroom.
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