Lady Gaga Countersuit Claims Unlawful Contract Deal
Lady Gaga is responding to a recent lawsuit by ex boyfriend and producer Rob Fusari with a countersuit of her own. She has filed a lawsuit challenging their signed contract deal, claiming it was invalid because he was not a licensed talent agent.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the countersuit claims that the contract was "predatory and financially abusive," in part because it gave Fusari rights to her future earnings.
Lady Gaga's countersuit also claims she was tricked into singing a contract deal. She claims the contract deal was "unlawful," taking advantage of an inexperienced artist and now Lady Gaga is seeking damages.
At question is whether Fusari was acting as an agent or a music producer at the time.
California and New York require talent agents to be licensed. However, New York's provisions are not as clear as California's Talent Agencies Act, which aims to protect artists from being exploited.
As previously discussed, Fusari claims he was instrumental in the singer's success.
He says they co-wrote songs and he came up with her stage name and helped get her record deal. When Lady Gaga's (whose her real name is Stefani Germanotta) career began to soar, she ditched him Fusari said.
Since then Fusari has not received his share of Lady Gaga's song royalties, merchandising revenue and other fees.
His lawsuit claims a breach of agreement and breach of fiduciary duty. According to Fusari's attorney he is asking for damages of at least $5 million.
The suit alleges Lady Gaga and Fusari became romantic and that he was an integral part of Lady Gaga's hit record "The Fame."
- Lady Gaga Sues Ex-Producer Over "Abusive" 2006 Contract (Rolling Stone)
- Lady Gaga Hits Back (New York Times)
- Rob Fusari Vs. Lady Gaga: Inside the Lawsuit (Wall Street Journal)