“Skatin’” to Court: Independent Songwriters Sue Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Biggie’s Estate, Sony and Others Over Alleged Bad Faith and Copyright Infringement of 1980 Composition

New York, NY — On July 14, 2026, independent songwriters David Bravo and Jean Albert Renaud filed a federal copyright infringement complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit alleges that some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Nelly, the Estate of The Notorious B.I.G., the Estate of Angie Stone, Jazze Pha and Sony, unlawfully appropriated their original musical composition and profited from it for decades without permission, credit, or compensation.

This federal case is a classic “David versus Goliath” battle. Plaintiff David Bravo, a 73-year-old keyboardist whose career was cut short by severe arthritis in his hands, and co-plaintiff Jean Albert Renaud, an 84-year-old Army veteran living primarily on Social Security and veterans’ benefits, allege they were denied the recognition and royalties they rightfully earned.

Represented by Polina Ivko, Esq. of the law firm Adwar Ivko, Plaintiffs allege the recording artists, producers, and record labels willfully copied a highly specific four-bar structure from their registered composition, “Skatin’”. Rather than a passing sample, this misappropriated segment was allegedly looped to serve as the complete musical backing track for the 2000s hit songs “Nasty Girl” and “I Wanna Thank Ya”.

The lawsuit also asserts claims for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty against Sony. Plaintiffs allege the publisher acted in bad faith by citing an admitted “conflict of interest” to avoid pursuing infringement claims on their behalf. The complaint argues Sony deliberately turned a blind eye to the theft to protect the revenue streams of its more lucrative clients rather than advocate for the everyday creators it was legally obligated to defend. 

The full list of defendants is Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Nelly, The Estate of the Notorious B.I.G., The Estate of Angie Stone, Jazze Pha, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Chappell Music, Universal Music Publishing, Bad Boy Records and Sony Music Publishing. The case is docketed as Bravo et al v. Sony Music Publishing LLC et al., No. 1:26-cv-05954-NRB. A copy of the publicly filed complaint is available through the court’s electronic records system (PACER).

Comic Industry Start, Including Marvel & DC Comics Contributors, Unite in Lawsuit Against Art Dealer

August 14, 2025

New York, NY — On August 7, 2025, seventeen internationally acclaimed artists and writers, whose work includes credits with Marvel Entertainment, DC Comics, the New Yorker Magazine, Image Comics, Dark Horse Comics and the Washington Post publications, filed a joint complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Paolo Belfiore, an art dealer, and Cadence Comic Art Inc, his art gallery.

The artists, represented by Polina Ivko, allege in this federal case that Mr. Belfiore and his gallery engaged in systematic fraud and misconduct. According to the court filing, the defendants are accused of violating fiduciary and statutory obligations under New York Art and Cultural Affairs Law by misappropriating funds, failing to provide accurate account statements, commingling trust funds, and withholding unsold art. Artists seek damages, injunctive relief, and accountability for these breaches.

The case is docketed as Cloonan et al v. Cadence Comic Art Inc et al, 1:25-cv-06513-JLR. A copy of the publicly filed complaint is available through the court’s electronic records system (PACER).

The full list of plaintiffs: Pia Guerra, Jill Thompson, David Marquez, Becky Cloonan, Joelle Jones, Elena Casagrande, Tyler Crook, Wesley Craig, Leila Leiz, Rafael Albuquerque, Jenny Frison, Valerio Schiti, Allesandro Cappuccio, Mahmud Asrar, Paolo Villanelli, Yildiray Cinar, and Danai Christina Kilaidoni.

Practice areas: art law,entertainment law, and litigation.

Successful Advocacy Leads to Cancellation of Mariinsky Theater Ballet Performers at YAGP Gala in Solidarity with Ukraine

April 19, 2024

New York, NY — Despite several false stories currently in circulation, the truth is that the performances of Russian ballet stars from the Mariinsky Theater who were scheduled to perform at the Youth America Grand Prix Gala (YAGP) at Lincoln Center were officially cancelled several hours before the Svitanok protest took place. 

The cancellation was the direct result of the fierce, rapid-response endeavors of a small group of passionate Ukraine supporters based in New York, which included Polina Ivko, Esq. (a prominent arts and entertainment lawyer on behalf of a group of concerned dance professionals), Heart & Valor leadership, Bird of Light Ukraine leadership, a group of 26 New York State assemblymen, both democrats and republicans, led by esteemed Michael Novakhov of District 45 who jointly represent millions of New Yorkers, as well as select Ukrainian diplomats. The joint, cooperative efforts paid off, and YAGP and Lincoln Center agreed to cancel the scheduled performances by the Mariinsky Theater dancers.

Svitanok was promptly informed about the successful discussions to exclude the Russian performers from the YAGP Gala, a result of ongoing negotiations involving Ms. Ivko and esteemed political figures on the one hand and the executives of Lincoln Center and YAGP on the other hand. Despite being apprised of this significant outcome, which effectively addressed the community's concerns, Svitanok proceeded with their planned protest.

Remarkably, the cancellation of the Mariinsky Theater dancers was achieved in less than 48 hours of the scheduled Gala without the need of any street protests, based solely on the efforts of the above noted Ukrainian supporters and diplomatic cooperation from YAGP and Lincoln Center – a true testament to the unwavering support of the Americans and New Yorkers for the people of Ukraine.