DALLAS — The estate of multi-platinum recording artist Melvin Noble Jr., known professionally as Mo3, has won a significant legal victory in a copyright infringement lawsuit against former sound engineer Ray Gene Bollin Jr., who operated under the name Absolut Production Recording Studios.
The case, tried in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, ended with a unanimous jury verdict in favor of the estate.
After a weeklong trial and less than two hours of deliberation, the jury found in favor of the estate on all claims, which included copyright infringement, conversion, and tortious interference with contract.
The ruling affirms that Mo3 held sole ownership and control over his vocal recordings, rejecting any claims by Bollin to co-ownership or co-authorship.
The verdict also includes the cancellation of any copyright registrations previously filed by Bollin that contained Mo3’s vocal performances, ensuring that control of the recordings remains solely with the estate.
The judgment not only secures monetary damages for the estate but also marks a crucial milestone in reinforcing legal protections for recording artists’ intellectual property.
For the estate, the outcome represents a critical step in preserving Mo3’s legacy and ensuring that his creative work benefits his three minor children.
Since Mo3’s death in 2020, his estate has remained focused on honoring his contributions to music and culture.
The verdict further strengthens ongoing efforts to safeguard his catalog and legacy.
The estate’s collaboration with distribution partner Empire Records continues to play a key role in expanding Mo3’s reach and influence worldwide.
The case sets a precedent for protecting artists’ rights and serves as a reminder of the importance of legal safeguards in the music industry.