Jason Derulo has won a copyright trial over songwriting and production credits linked to his 2020 hit Savage Love.
A jury in Los Angeles ruled in favour of Derulo and Columbia Records on Thursday 6 May 2026, rejecting claims brought by session musician Matthew Spatola, according to Billboard.
The verdict means Spatola will not receive royalties from the track, which became one of the biggest global hits of 2020 after exploding on TikTok and later reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with a remix featuring BTS.
Dispute centred on songwriting contributions
Spatola, who played guitar and bass during recording sessions for the song, argued in court that he also helped shape the instrumental foundation of the track and should therefore receive songwriting and production credits.
Derulo disputed that claim during testimony, arguing that Spatola performed parts he had been instructed to play.
“created absolutely nothing”
According to court reporting, Spatola received a payment of $2,000 for two studio sessions in April 2020.
Missing work-for-hire agreement became key issue
The case drew attention because the parties never signed a formal work-for-hire agreement, which typically confirms that session musicians do not retain authorship rights over recordings even if they contribute creatively.
Instead, the court heard that the only written exchange between the two men was a text message from Derulo that read:
“1K good each day?”
The lawsuit remained in the legal system for roughly three years before reaching trial.
Jury sided with Derulo after short deliberation
Jurors ultimately ruled in favour of Derulo after deliberating for just over a day.
Savage Love became one of the defining viral hits of the pandemic era, boosted heavily by TikTok dance trends before crossing into mainstream radio and streaming charts worldwide.
The BTS remix helped send the single to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2020, giving Derulo another global chart success.
Copyright disputes remain common in modern pop
The case highlights ongoing legal questions around songwriting credits, studio collaboration and informal recording arrangements in modern pop music, particularly during fast-moving streaming-era production cycles.
Disputes involving session musicians and producer contributions have become increasingly common as hit songs generate long-term streaming revenue across multiple platforms.
