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Drake‘s legal battle with Universal Music Group could be set to take another dramatic turn as the music conglomerate has asked a Texas court to toss out the pre-action petition he filed against them in November.
UMG claims that the Toronto rapper (who is signed to them through Republic Records) has insufficient evidence to support his allegation that they engaged in payola to spread Kendrick’s hit diss song.
The company also argues that the release and promotion of the track is protected under the First Amendment.
The filing says “Because [Drake’s] petition is related to and was filed in response to UMG’s protected free speech, and because [Drake] cannot carry his burden to establish by clear and specific evidence that he is entitled to pre-suit discovery, the Court should dismiss [Drake’s] retaliatory legal action against UMG.”
The music giant also calls Drizzy’s claim that they secretly funneled payments to radio stations to play “Not Like Us” “hearsay” and “not admissible as evidence.”
