Legendary singer Dionne Warwick is facing a lawsuit from Artists Rights Enforcement Corporation, a firm specializing in royalty recovery. They claim Warwick owes them “hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars” related to a sampling deal tied to Doja Cat’s hit song “Paint the Town Red.”
The lawsuit was filed in New York on December 15 and has reignited discussions around music royalties, especially concerning how legacy artists are compensated when their classic tracks inspire new hits.
The focal point of this legal battle is Warwick’s iconic 1964 song “Walk on By,” which was sampled in Doja Cat’s chart-topping single. According to court documents, the Artists Rights firm asserts that it negotiated the terms for that sample and believes it is entitled to a portion of the royalties that have rolled in since then.
Since 2002, the firm claims it hasthey’ve had an agreement with Warwick allowing it to forgo upfront fees in exchange for a cut of any royalties or settlements it successfully renegotiates for her. This deal was designed to last indefinitely, meaning they took on the initial risk and expected to recoup that down the line.
Over the years, they say they’ve helped Warwick recover funds from big names like Atlantic Records and Sony, including disputes regarding ownership of her Scepter Records masters and her hit “Then Came You.” They estimate that their efforts have brought in over $2.5 million for Warwick, with recent boosts linked to the success of “Paint the Town Red.”
Things took a turn when, according to the lawsuit, Warwick tried to terminate the agreement last September so she could receive her royalties directly from labels and rights organizations, including Sony, Rhino, and PPL in the U.K. The firm argues this move violated their long-standing contract and effectively cut them out of deals they’d worked hard to secure. They now want the court to restore their share of Warwick’s royalty earnings, plus interest and compensation for payments they believe they’ve missed.
So far, Warwick’s team hasn’t publicly commented on the lawsuit.
