Sony Music has filed a lawsuit against Patrick Moxey, the original founder of Ultra Records, over trademark disputes concerning the use of the word 'Ultra.'

After acquiring 50% of Ultra Records LLC in 2012, Sony Music established an agreement where Ultra International Music Publishing could only use the word 'Ultra' under license. This license was terminated on March 29, 2022, following Sony's complete buyout of Ultra Records.

Moxey departed Ultra Records in January 2022, shortly after Sony's acquisition, while maintaining full ownership of Ultra International Music Publishing. The lawsuit highlights that no formal written license agreement existed between the companies regarding the Ultra trademark.

Key points of the legal dispute:

• Sony claims Ultra International Music Publishing continues to use 'Ultra' in violation of trademark rights
• The original license agreement from 2012 had no specified end date
• Under New York law, the agreement was terminable at will by Ultra Records
• Moxey disputes the existence of the license agreement and continues to use the term

Moxey has since entered a global publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music.

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