Silicon Valley couple accused of stealing AI music technology | Latest Tech News
A Grammy-winning artist and his mogul music supervisor declare they had been swindled out of tens of millions by a rich Silicon Valley energy couple who stole their AI software program thought in an elaborate scheme, an explosive lawsuit claims.
Songwriter and music producer Warren “Oak” Felder, who has written songs for Mariah Carey and Britany Spears, and his industry veteran companion Lucas Keller are suing tech husband and spouse powerhouses Walter and Samia De Brouwer, accusing them of stealing their music copyright software program.
The court papers filed in Los Angeles set up a dramatic battle between the uber-rich Bay Area entrepreneurs and Southern California artists who declare they’ve been robbed of at least $5 million.
Samia and Walter De Brouwer are accused of stealing music copyright software program. Instagram/@sam_dbdb
Songwriter and music producer Oak Felder filed the go well with in Los Angeles. Getty Images for BMI
Music industry veteran Lucas Keller is also half of the go well with against the De Brouwers. Getty Images for Variety
“Unscrupulous Silicon Valley scammers Walter and Samia De Brouwer put money before morals, exploiting the ideas and labor of a prolific songwriter and music producer,” the court papers state.
Keller, who constructed global expertise management company Milk and Honey Music + Sports, which boasts Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelce as a shopper, met the De Brouwers around 2016 and they “became close family friends,” according to the go well with.
Keller constructed global expertise management company that contains Kansas City Chief Travis Kelce as a shopper. Getty Images
The 25-year music industry veteran says that in 2023 he, Felder and the De Brouwers mentioned developing software program to create music utilizing AI.
Keller and Felder talked about the addition of a “copyright checker” so that the software program would flag copyrighted chords,” the papers declare.
“Unscrupulous Silicon Valley scammers Walter and Samia De Brouwer put money before morals,” the submitting says. Instagram/@sam_dbdb
“The De Brouwers were enamored with the concept and wanted to be involved,” the lawsuit claims.
The tech couple agreed that if the 2 artists wrote the software program, including the so-called copyright checker, the Brouwers would pay Keller and Felder in stock choices from their company Snowcrash, the lawsuit claims.
Snowcrash awarded Keller and Felder 345,000 shares each to be vested between November 2023 and November 2028 on Carta.com, and Keller and Felder each accepted, the papers say.
“The De Brouwers were enamored with the concept and wanted to be involved,” the lawsuit claims.
Shortly afterward, the De Brouwers “busied themselves with their fraudulent scheme” when they “coerced” Felder and Keller to assign the software program patent to Snowcrash, according to the lawsuit.
The De Brouwers then fashioned a new company, Sound Patrol, and used that company to buy just about all of Snowcrash’s property, including the patent, the papers read.
The De Brouwers agreed that if Keller and Felder wrote the software program, they might pay the 2 artists in stock choices.
The transfer “drove the value of Felder and Keller’s stock options six feet under,” and the De Brouwers ended up “landing a highly lucrative licensing deal with Universal Music Group and Sony Music” with Sound Patrol the lawsuit claims.
“Sound Patrol has not paid a penny to Keller or Felder for their work developing the software or for the patent,” the lawsuit claims.
The duo say they’re owed in extra of $5 million and are searching for damages and the correct to the software program patent.
Songwriter and producer Felder has bought over 100 million information. Sportsfile via Getty Images
Walter De Brouwer is listed as a co-founder with Hollywood mogul Michael Ovitz (pictured) on the Sound Patrol web site. ASSOCIATED PRESS
The De Brouwers are tech giants, having based the AI company Doc.ai in 2016, which was then acquired by digital health company Sharecare, according to the company’s web site.
Walter De Brouwer is listed as a co-founder along with Hollywood mogul Michael Ovitz on the Sound Patrol web site.
“With Michael Ovitz as Co-Founder, SoundPatrol gained direct access to the global entertainment industry, accelerating its deployment across music, sports, streaming, and beyond,” the web site says.
Sound Patrol is also listed in the lawsuit as a defendant.
Both the De Brouwers and Sound Patrol had been contacted for remark by The California Post.
Keller represents over 70 top singers and songwriters and Felder has bought over 100 million information, the papers say.
Download The California Post App, comply with us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters
California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedIn
California Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X
California Post Opinion
California Post Newsletters: Sign up right here!
California Post App: Download right here!
Home supply: Sign up right here!
Page Six Hollywood: Sign up right here!
Stay informed with the latest in tech! Our web site is your trusted source for breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, gadget launches, software program updates, cybersecurity, and digital innovation.
For contemporary insights, knowledgeable coverage, and trending tech updates, go to us frequently by clicking right here.
