In a significant legal development, Missy Elliott has emerged victorious in a longstanding battle over royalties and co-ownership claims concerning the song “Heartbroken” by the late R&B icon Aaliyah. The lawsuit, originally filed in 2018 by songwriter Timothy Williams, has been dismissed, bringing closure to a contentious dispute that has persisted for years.
The roots of the legal conflict trace back to the mid-1990s, during which Timothy Williams alleged that he collaborated with Missy Elliott on numerous songs for prominent artists, including 702, Total, and Aaliyah. According to Williams, one of these collaborations resulted in the creation of “Heartbroken,” a track that was later included on Aaliyah’s critically acclaimed 1996 album One in a Million.
Williams asserted that despite his contributions, he was neither credited nor compensated for his work on “Heartbroken.” Consequently, he sought to be recognized as a co-author of the song, and demanded damages for breach of contract, along with compensation for what he described as unjust enrichment on the part of Missy Elliott.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Missy Elliott steadfastly denied Williams’ allegations, maintaining that the claims were without merit. The case saw a pivotal moment when Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro reviewed motions for summary judgment filed by both parties. After careful consideration, the judge ruled in favor of Missy Elliott, citing the statute of limitations as a decisive factor.
In her ruling, Judge Quiñones Alejandro noted that the lawsuit was filed more than two decades after the release of “Heartbroken,” far exceeding the three-year statute of limitations applicable to such cases. The judge further emphasized that Williams failed to present evidence demonstrating that he exercised due diligence in pursuing his claims.
“Williams commenced this action against Elliott on November 14, 2018, over twenty-two years after the release of ‘Heartbroken.’ Under these circumstances, this Court further finds that Williams has failed to offer evidence that he exercised due diligence,” the judge stated in her ruling.
The dismissal of the lawsuit marks a major legal win for Missy Elliott, who has been a pivotal figure in the music industry for decades. It also brings resolution to one of the many disputes that have surfaced over the legacy of Aaliyah, a beloved artist whose untimely death in 2001 left an indelible mark on the world of R&B and beyond.
For fans and observers alike, this ruling reinforces the importance of timely legal action and underscores the complexities surrounding intellectual property and creative contributions in the music industry.
