Funk legend George Clinton has filed a $100 million lawsuit against his former business associate Armen Boladian and his company Bridgeport Music, alleging that they fraudulently obtained copyrights to nearly 90% of his music catalog.
The Legal Battle for Funk’s Legacy
The lawsuit, filed in Florida District Court, claims that Boladian, along with Westbound Records, Nine Records, Southfield Music, and Eastbound Records, has unlawfully profited from Clinton’s extensive body of work for decades. Clinton announced the lawsuit outside the Apollo Theater alongside his legal team, led by civil rights attorney Ben Crump.
“These songs we’re talking about is my history,” Clinton stated. “I have to fight for them. I have to make sure that I did not do all of this my whole life and have my family here, not get what’s due to them, what they inherit.”
Clinton emphasized that reclaiming ownership of his catalog is about more than just money— it’s about securing generational wealth for his family.
Allegations of Fraud and Deception
According to the lawsuit, Boladian allegedly withheld millions of dollars in royalties from Clinton and engaged in fraudulent practices dating back to the 1980s. The suit claims that:
- Between 1982 and 1985, Boladian fabricated multiple agreements to gain additional rights to Clinton’s catalog.
- Fake names and pseudonyms were added to copyright registrations, diluting Clinton’s rightful share of royalties.
- Boladian profited from lawsuits filed against artists who sampled Clinton’s music— without Clinton being included or receiving any financial benefit.
This legal fight is not new. Boladian has previously been aggressive in enforcing copyrights, filing hundreds of lawsuits in 2001 against artists who sampled Clinton’s music. However, Clinton alleges that despite these legal actions, he never saw any of the proceeds.
Boladian’s attorney, Richard Busch, has dismissed Clinton’s lawsuit as yet another failed attempt to reclaim his rights.
“This is just the latest in a series of lawsuits that Mr. Clinton has filed against Bridgeport and Armen Boladian over the last 30 years raising the same exact issues,” Busch stated. “He has lost each and every time, including in the very courthouse in which he has filed this latest lawsuit. We will obviously therefore be moving to dismiss this lawsuit and will be seeking sanctions.”
Despite past legal setbacks, Clinton remains determined to reclaim ownership of his catalog, arguing that his music is his legacy and birthright.
A Fight for Musical Justice
George Clinton’s music— through Parliament-Funkadelic and beyond— has shaped funk, hip-hop, and pop culture for generations. His battle for copyright ownership mirrors similar struggles faced by legendary artists seeking control over their intellectual property.
As the lawsuit unfolds, the case could have major implications for artists’ rights and music industry ethics— particularly as it relates to contracts signed decades ago, often under exploitative circumstances.
For now, Clinton remains steadfast: “We do not have a chance to pass down 40 acres and mules to our families. We do not have the copyrights for the songs. So I’m here along with Ben and partners to make sure that Armen does not get what we worked so hard for.”