Beyoncé’s Label Condemns Second ‘Objectively Baseless’ Lawsuit Over ‘Alien Superstar’ Sample

Parkwood Entertainment has asked a judge to permanently dismiss a second lawsuit over the “Moonraker” sample used in Beyoncé’s song “Alien Superstar”. The company says the claims are objectively baseless and wants financial sanctions against music catalogue owner Shuji Hirose and his lawyer, arguing that Hirose changed his account of who owns the copyright.

Parkwood says it cleared the sample directly with singer John Holiday, paying him $10,000 and giving him a 0.5 per cent share of the song’s royalties. Hirose first claimed he owned half of “Moonraker” publishing, then alleged he bought all of the copyright from Holiday; Parkwood says the accounts conflict. His first case was dismissed on a technicality in June and refiled two months later. A hearing on Parkwood’s motions is expected in February.