Kesha drops California lawsuit against Dr Luke

MANILA, Philippines – In California, Kesha and Lukasz “Dr Luke” Gottwald’s legal battle has ended.

Kesha has dropped her California rape and sexual abuse claims against Dr Luke, the founder of Kemosabe Records (part of Sony Music), which is still signed to.

The pop star, however, is still pursuing her appeals in New York, where a judge dismissed her request to be freed from her exclusive contract with Kemosabe, which says she is obligated to record her next 6 albums with the label.

In an official statement, Kesha’s legal counsel Daniel Petrocelli said: “Kesha has dismissed her California action without prejudice while she pursues her appeal and other legal claims in the New York courts.

She has also sent 28 new songs to Kemosabe hoping to release a new album soon.

“Kesha is focused on getting back to work and has delivered 28 new songs to the record label. We have conveyed to Sony and the label Kesha’s strong desire to release her next album and single as soon as possible.”

In response, Dr Luke’s lawyer, Christine Lepera, told Rolling Stone: “If Kesha is voluntarily dismissing her claims in the California case, it is because she has no chance of winning them. Earlier this year, she lost her meritless counterclaims against Dr. Luke in the New York Action.

“Recently, the California Court invited Dr. Luke and the other defendants to move to dismiss Kesha’s claims in that action. Kesha never should have brought her false and meritless claims against Dr. Luke in any court. Dr. Luke’s defamation and other claims against Kesha are still proceeding.”

In 2014, Kesha filed claims in California of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse against Dr Luke, saying that he abused her sexually while she was under the influence.

Dr Luke countersued in New York, claiming defamation, which put Kesha’s California case on hold since June of last year.

In New York, Kesha also then filed against Dr Luke a similar set of claims as that in California.

Since it started, Kesha’s case has garnered the support of many female musicians, including Adele, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift.

The last song Kesha released was “True Colors,” a collaboration with Zedd, with the permission of Kemosabe and Sony. Prior to that, she was featured on Pitbull’s song, “Timber,” released in 2013. – Rappler.com