Sony Says It's "Legally Unable" to End Kesha's Contract With Dr. Luke

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Sony Music Entertainment has clarified its position in Kesha's legal battle against the company and Dr. Luke. Scott Edelman, a lawyer for the company, told The New York Times that the law won't allow Sony to end her contract with the producer she has sued on claims of rape and other abuse.

Edelman told the Times, "Sony has made it possible for Kesha to record without any connection, involvement or interaction with Luke whatsoever, but Sony is not in a position to terminate the contractual relationship between Luke and Kesha.”

He added, "Sony is doing everything it can to support the artist in these circumstances, but is legally unable to terminate the contract to which it is not a party."

Kesha is signed to Dr. Luke's Kemosabe Records, a Sony imprint, though her contract is with his Kasz Money Inc. production company, the Times notes.

Edelman declined to comment further to Pitchfork.

Yesterday, Kesha made her first major comments on a court ruling last week denying her request to bar Dr. Luke from enforcing the contract while the case makes its way through the courts. "I would be willing to work with Sony if they do the right thing and break all ties that bind me to my abuser," she wrote in a Facebook post.

Meanwhile, supporters of Kesha are planning to hold a rally outside Sony's headquarters in New York on Friday, campaigning for her release from her contract, as Billboard reports.

Elsewhere, a Kesha concert scheduled for Friday at Loyola University in Chicago has been canceled due to what the university called "personal reasons," according to Billboard. The school said in a statement: "Kesha has expressed her disappointment in having to cancel, but she feels that this is the best decision for her at this time. We respect her decision and wish her well."

Read our exploration of Kesha's battle with Dr. Luke, "Why Kesha Lost Her Court Battle, But Not Necessarily the War."

via Marc Hogan