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Singer-songwriter Kesha defends her seven-year legal battle against music producer Dr. Luke with new legislation signed in November. Kesha, whose real name is Kesha Rose Sebert, counterclaimed that the law should be applied to her lawsuit that was filed in 2017 by Dr. Luke.
The new New York law was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo. The law was created to make it harder for wealthy and powerful individuals to file bothersome lawsuits to suppress free speech. It was designed to prevent abuse of “strategic lawsuits against public participation,” also known as SLAPPs lawsuits.
“I am proud to sign legislation which protects New Yorkers’ fundamental right to free speech without fear of harassment or bullying by those who happen to have more money than they do,” Governor Cuomo reported.
Kesha argued that the newly signed law should be applied to her 2017 case. Dr. Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald, sued Kesha for defamation in response to her sexual assault allegations, stated to her filed papers in Manhattan Supreme Court. Kesha claimed that Dr. Luke allegedly raped and drugged her and that he also raped Katy Perry. Dr. Luke claimed that Kesha lied in response to her accusations.
In February 2020, a judge ruled against Kesha. Kesha told Lady Gaga that Dr. Luke raped Perry though Perry denied that she was ever sexually assaulted by Dr. Luke. In response, the judge claimed that Kesha defamed Dr. Luke by tarnishing his reputation.
Kesha claimed that the new law should be applied to the previous court ruling and her trial this fall. With that, Dr. Luke would have to prove that Kesha’s claims were with “actual malice.” Kesha filed counterclaims for compensatory and punitive damages for lawyer fees against Dr. Luke. The filed court documents describe the fees as “baseless and malicious.”
There are no further comments from either party at this time.
