Songwriter Awarded $44.35 Million over Usher Track

A Philadelphia-based songwriter embroiled in a lawsuit involving a song from Usher’s album has been awarded over $44 million in damages.

In the lawsuit, Daniel Merino claimed that he was cut out of profits to “Bad Girl,” a song recorded by Usher for his 2004 multi-platinum album, “Confessions”.

Merino also claimed that he created a majority of the song – originally named “Club Girl” – including its guitar hook, tempo and chord progression. However, he was never given credit for his work on the song.

Usher was not named in the lawsuit.

According to reports, William Guice, Marino’s former co-writer, was “ordered to pay $6.75 million in compensatory damages, and $20.25 million in punitive damages”.

Destro Music Productions, owned by co-defendant Dante Barton, also greed to pay Marino $17.35 million. Marino also received a third of the song’s ownership rights.

Marino’s lawyer, Francis Malofiy, told a media outlet: “For seven years, against all odds, we believed in our client and his claims. The $44.35 million verdict and judgment finally vindicates Mr Marino.”