Texas Judge Dismisses $50 Million Copyright Lawsuit Against Cardi B
A United States District Judge in Texas has officially dismissed a substantial copyright infringement lawsuit targeting Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B. The legal action, which sought damages amounting to fifty million dollars, was terminated by Judge Fernando Rodriguez on March 30th. The dismissal was issued without prejudice, effectively clearing Cardi B of the allegations that her hit song 'Enough (Miami)' unlawfully copied another musical work.
Details of the Court's Ruling and Legal Statement
In his final judgment, Judge Rodriguez conclusively ruled that there had been no infringement of any copyrighted music by Cardi B. The lawsuit was originally filed almost two years ago by musicians Joshua Fraustro and Miguel Aguilar. They claimed that Cardi B's track 'Enough' copied elements from their own composition titled 'Greasy Frybread.' Following the court's decision, Cardi B's legal representative issued a public statement expressing satisfaction with the outcome.
"Obviously, we are very pleased with today's order and appreciate the court's careful consideration of the issues," the attorney stated, highlighting the thorough judicial review that preceded the dismissal.
Background of the Copyright Infringement Allegations
The legal dispute originated in 2024 when Fraustro and Aguilar initiated proceedings against the renowned rapper. Their lawsuit contended that 'Enough' bore significant similarities to 'Greasy Frybread,' a song they originally created for artist Sten Joddi. The musicians asserted that their track gained popularity after being featured on the television series 'Reservation Dogs' two years prior to the lawsuit.
Beyond the core copyright claim, the plaintiffs also alleged that the alleged infringement caused "reputational harm within the music industry" and led to them being blacklisted. Notably, Fraustro and Aguilar managed to secure an official copyright registration for their song on October 31st of last year, approximately a year and a half after initially filing the infringement case.
Cardi B's Recent Legal Victories and Previous Case
This favorable ruling represents the second significant legal win for Cardi B within the past several months. In September of the previous year, a Los Angeles jury found the artist not guilty on charges of assault and battery. That separate case involved her former security guard, Emani Ellis, who had sued Cardi B for twenty-four million dollars over an alleged incident in 2018.
The consecutive dismissals underscore a pattern of legal vindication for the rapper, reinforcing her position in both civil and potential criminal matters. The entertainment industry closely monitors such high-profile copyright cases, as they often set precedents for intellectual property disputes within the music sector.
This report provides a journalistic account of recent court developments. While based on available information, it is not a substitute for official legal documents or professional legal advice. The definitive source remains the official court order.
