A convoluted legal battle between a music producer and a major music publishing company has reached its conclusion, with the court siding against the plaintiff. Carl L. Miller filed a complaint against Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County on December 2020, alleging breach of contract and related claims. The court ultimately dismissed Miller's case, citing numerous procedural missteps and lack of evidence.
Miller's lawsuit centered around his alleged ownership interests in various music recordings. He claimed that an unnamed agent had negotiated an agreement with UMPG to acquire his company's assets and credit his contributions to existing recordings. However, Miller admitted he needed further discovery to identify all parties involved in the contract. Despite multiple opportunities to amend his complaint, including filing a massive 500-page second amended complaint, Miller failed to provide sufficient details or evidence to support his claims.
The court proceedings were marked by several demurrers from UMPG, which Miller did not oppose effectively. Instead, he repeatedly requested additional time for discovery and leave to file further amended complaints. In June 2022, after failing to timely file a third amended complaint, Miller submitted an untimely version that was improper in form. The trial court struck this complaint but allowed him to file a fourth amended complaint.
In July 2022, Miller served UMPG with document requests identical to those previously answered by the defendant. He also filed multiple ex parte applications seeking extensions and leave to file additional pleadings, which the court deemed frivolous and potentially filed in bad faith. Consequently, the court issued an order to show cause regarding sanctions against Miller.
Miller's fourth amended complaint continued to allege breach of contract claims without identifying the proper defendants or providing clear terms of the alleged agreement. He sought $19 million in damages or alternatively $3 billion along with retention of publication rights. UMPG responded with another demurrer, arguing that Miller's complaint still lacked necessary details about the contract and parties involved.
The trial court sustained UMPG's demurrer without leave to amend and imposed $3,500 in sanctions against Miller for filing frivolous applications and making false representations about court communications. Judge Mark A. Young ruled that Miller had ample time for discovery but failed to rectify deficiencies in his complaints over two years of litigation.
Representing himself pro se, Carl L. Miller appealed the judgment but failed to present new arguments or evidence that could alter the outcome. Attorneys Robert S. Gutierrez and Elizabeth Schilken from Ballard Spahr represented Universal Music Publishing Group throughout the proceedings.
The case ID is B325945 under Los Angeles County Superior Court docket number 20SMCV01886.