Martin Garrix has been embroiled in a legal battle with his former label and music publishing companies Spinnin Records and MusicAllStars, respectively, but it seems the battle is nearly over.
Martin Garrix announced his split from the companies in August 2015 and it wasn’t too long until it was revealed that he was lobbying a lawsuit against both parties for allegedly coercing him and his father into signing a contract that was not in his best interests. A portion of the lawsuit was withdrawn in December 2015 but the remaining allegations continued to be discussed in court until this morning, when a judge ruled in Garrix’s favor.
Garrix was suing Spinnin Records and MusicAllStars for €3.7 million and €650,000, respectively, though they collectively countered the suit and said that by breaking his contract he cost them more than €6.4 million in revenue.
In the end, judges of the Lelystad court in the Netherlands ruled that there was a conflict of interest, as Eelko van Kooten, director of Spinnin Records at the time, was also director for MusicAllStars, the company responsible for negotiating Garrix’s contract with Spinnin.
“During the talks in 2013 about renewing the production agreement with Spinnin Records, there has been conflict of interest due to the CEO’s double hats,” the courts ruled. “[MusicAllStars] had to take action at that time. For example, by assisting Garrix in the negotiations by an independent third party. ”
In the victory, Garrix was given back the rights and masters to some of his biggest hits, including the song that broke him as an artist, “Animals.”
Garrix announced in a press release, “I’m pleased with this outcome, not just for myself but also for all other DJs / producers, because this case was not just for me but for all my fellow artists.” Those fellow artists include Curbi, Mike Williams, Sam Feldt, and more who are represented by MAS and who have had releases on Spinnin. (Though none of these artists have brought up any kind of lawsuit against either party to our knowledge.)
Spinnin is also carefully reading over the statement, according to a company spokesman. “In view of the size of the case, we need to study the ruling carefully, considering the possibility of appeal.”
Van Kooten recently sold Spinnin to Warner, and has no shares in the company, but asserts that the case still has his interest. “Given the size of the case, I have to study that statement well. In addition, my advice for Spinnin Records and MusicAllstars to appeal will be included.”
