Quavo’s ‘Bubble Gum’ Case Moves Toward Settlement With Music Giants

Quavo could soon put the “Bubble Gum” copyright fight behind him but the deal still needs to be finished. A new court filing puts the music companies and the rapper who sued them on a 40-day path toward wrapping things up.

The November 11 joint notice says L.Mont has reached a settlement in principle with UMG Recordings, Universal Music-MGB and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing. Those companies joined his request to clear the court’s calendar while they complete the agreement.

“The Plaintiff and Defendants, therefore, apply to this Honorable Court to vacate all currently set dates with the expectation that the settlement will be consummated within forty (40) days,” their lawyers wrote. The notice doesn’t disclose a payment amount or spell out the settlement’s other terms.

There’s a distinction here for Quavo, whose name remains in the case caption. The notice identifies the corporate defendants as the settling parties, rather than listing him among that group, and isn’t itself a dismissal order.

L.Mont’s September 15 amended complaint traces the dispute to February 9, 2016. He says he opened for Migos and 2 Chainz at New Orleans’ Saenger Theatre, then handed Quavo a demo at the VLive after-party.

The songwriter says he created “Bubblegum” in 2015 and included it on that CD, hoping to collaborate. He alleges Quavo accepted the disc and said he would consider the request, then used protected elements without permission.

“There are unmistakable similarities between the two works,” the amended complaint states. L.Mont alleges similarities in lyrics, melody and arrangement, not just the title. The complaint adds: “Moreover, both songs have the similar tempos and form structure.” L.Mont also seeks songwriting credit on awards or other recognition tied to the track, alongside damages, profits and an injunction. Those are allegations and demands, not findings of infringement.

The challenged song appeared on Quavo Huncho, long before the rapper’s latest plans for more solo music and Migos recordings. The proposed agreement addresses that older catalog dispute while his recording career keeps moving.

Warner-Tamerlane also used the notice to clarify that the lawsuit had incorrectly named it as W Chappell Music Corp.