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# Crush 40 lead singer sues SEGA over "Live and Learn" copyright concerns
- URL: https://news.tailschannel.com/crush-40-lead-singer-sues-sega-live-and-learn-copyright/
- Published: 2024-12-18T19:27:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-01-09T19:20:02.000Z
- Description: An iconic Sonic theme song sparks a legal showdown between the Crush 40 lead singer and SEGA of America
- Author: Tails' Channel
- Tags: Front Office, Offbeat, #news

Johnny Gioeli, lead singer of Crush 40 and co-creator of *Sonic Adventure 2*'s 'Live and Learn' theme song, reportedly sued SEGA of America early December for allegedly misusing the song without proper licencing or compensation.

**Why it matters: '**Live and Learn' became a cultural touchstone for Sonic fans, but the lawsuit newly [discovered](https://www.polygon.com/news/498953/sonic-music-live-and-learn-copyright-lawsuit-crush-40-sega?ref=news.tailschannel.com) by Vox's Nicole Carpenter revealed a deeper dispute over ownership rights and royalties.

- "I have no comment other than my desire to maintain the preservation of a long standing beautiful relationship with SEGA", Gioeli said in a statement to Polygon.
- He continued, “I do not want fans to draw conclusions or be disrupted from the beautiful memories we have made collectively with this music. I believe and hope we will come to a peaceful settlement that will be fair and just.”

**Yes, but:** The lawsuit does not impact the song's inclusion in Paramount Pictures' upcoming *Sonic the Hedgehog 3* film.

- Gioeli [confirmed to Tails' Channel](https://tailschannel.com/sonic-the-hedgehog/movie/crush-40-live-and-learn-sonic-3/?ref=news.tailschannel.com) in February that he agreed to a separate deal with Paramount for the film's soundtrack.

**Driving the news:** Gioeli filed the lawsuit in the California district courts, and claimed that SEGA used the track in at least 25 games beyond its original appearance in *Sonic Adventure 2* without proper licencing.

- He claimed he was paid $3,000 USD for the lyrics following the 2001 collaboration with SEGA composer Jun Senoue, but his broader role in production and arrangement gave him ownership of the master recording.
- The singer alleged SEGA, who only held rights to the lyrics, failed to secure licencing agreements for the song's widespread reuse, leading to unpaid royalties he estimated at over $500,000 USD.
- Gioeli asked for a court ruling on the ownership of the master recording of the 'Live & Learn' song, and for compensation of the unpaid royalties.

**What they're saying:** Gioeli’s lawyer alleged SEGA acknowledged his partial ownership of the song's profits as a "joint work", but refused to formally account for his copyright claims.

- Meanwhile, SEGA of America did not comment on the lawsuit.

[Live and Learn lawsuit via Polygon | PDF | Legal Remedy | LawsuitLive and Learn lawsuit via Polygon![](https://news.tailschannel.com/content/images/icon/scribd.ico)ScribdPolygondotcom![](https://news.tailschannel.com/content/images/thumbnail/1)](https://www.scribd.com/document/806228650/Live-and-Learn-lawsuit-via-Polygon?ref=news.tailschannel.com)

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*Wed 2:40 pm ET: Story updated with additional details.*