Bridgeport Music, Inc. v. Smith

OPINION

SUHRHEINRICH, Circuit Judge.

I. Introduction

In 1974, songwriter, recording artist, producer, and performer Abrim Tilmon, Jr. (“Tilmon”), composed the song “You’re Getting a Little Too Smart ” (“Smart ”) 1 In 1976, Tilmon assigned all of his rights to the song to Plaintiff Bridgeport Music, Inc. (“Plaintiff’). In 1997, Defendant rapper Rashaam A. Smith a/k/a Esham A. Smith released the song “You & Me,” which, according to Plaintiffs Bridgeport, Southfield Music Inc., and Westbound Records, Inc. (“Plaintiffs”), unlawfully contained samples of the composition “Smart.” In 2003, Plaintiffs…