Sonic Songwriter Pursues Legal Action Against Sega Over Ownership of Beloved Dwell and Learn Theme
Crush 40 musician and Sonic lyricist Johnny Gioeli is filing a lawsuit against Sega of America regarding the rights to the Sonic Adventure 2 theme song “Live and Learn.”
Gioeli asserts that Sega only possesses rights to the lyrics of the song and not the “master recording and musical arrangement,” as stated in the lawsuit (as reported by Polygon). However, “unknown to the composer, Sega has ‘exploited and licensed’ the music to ‘at least 25 video games, television series, live events, and films’.”
“Live and Learn” plays a significant role in the upcoming movie, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, although Gioeli previously confirmed to Aftermath that an agreement was made for its use with Paramount.
In the lawsuit, Gioeli claims he was compensated $3,000 to create lyrics for an unnamed song that would be featured in Sonic Adventure 2. He later “ended up arranging, producing, recording, and performing the vocals for ‘Live and Learn’, which was created in his home studio in California using his personal equipment without Sega’s supervision, control, or participation.”
Furthermore, Sega’s assertion of complete control over the master recording and musical composition is “without merit” as there is no agreement in place with Gioeli to transfer rights beyond the lyrics.
Additionally, Gioeli has “maintained his songwriting registration” for the song for over twenty years. The songwriter holds the copyright for “Live and Learn,” where he’s noted as the author of the music and lyrics. The date of this registration is 2024.
Gioeli acknowledges that the “composition is likely co-owned,” according to the lawsuit, and therefore is seeking a Court judgment to determine the ownership of the song. The creator is requesting $500,000 in damages, along with an additional $500,000 in restitution.
Gioeli has collaborated with Sega composer Jun Senoue on several Sonic soundtracks, notably composing and performing under the name Sons of Angels, which was later renamed to Crush 40.
Although his contribution to “Live and Learn” was “clearly defined in scope to the lyrics” per his agreement with Sega, Gioeli received demos of instrumental tracks from Senoue and participated in the creative process.
Gioeli “controlled and supervised the recording process, produced the track, directed the arrangement of the song, managed the recording process for other musicians, and recorded and performed the vocals,” as detailed in the lawsuit.
Gioeli maintained his collaboration with Sega for over two decades, from 1998’s Sonic Adventure to Team Sonic Racing and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in 2019.
Nevertheless, the lawsuit states he was informed by a fan of Crush 40 that “Live and Learn” appeared in other prominent games, including the like