World Cup News: Sony Sued For Fraud Over Ricky Martin's Song 'Vida'

Ricky Martin's song "Vida" is pretty catchy: His new World Cup anthem "Vida" is quite the toe-tapper. Not everyone is dancing, however. Hundred Proof Club, Think Famous Productions, Akela Family and JDK Entertainment are suing Sony Music and Puerto Rican songwriter Elijah King for apparently committing fraud in Sony and FIFA's SuperSong competition. The lawsuit claims that the competition was rigged and that King, who wrote "Vida" was always going to win, cheating 1,600 applicants from the global competition.

“Sony Music World Cup FIFA Songwriting Contest”called for songwriters and musicians from all over the world to submit songs that would be chosen to be a part of the official FIFA World Cup 2014 album. However, Elijah King had a contractual agreement with the plaintiffs to receive royalties from his songs. Prior to the competition, Sony apparently asked King to enter the song "Vida": Sony allegedly pressured the plaintiffs to release King from his contract so that he would be eligible to win, in return to compensation.

According to the lawsuit, Sony “fraudulently” induced King’s release from his publishing contract and refused to pay compensation. Moreover, the lawsuit contends that the competition was rigged from the start: "Vida" was always going to win. The lawsuit is asking for damages in excess of $15,000 in addition to equitable relief. “[We’re looking to] annul the release due to the fraud they committed,” attorney Alicia Roman told the Huffington Post. “When it’s annulled, all of the rights to Elijah’s songs are returned to my client, particularly the song "Vida" that Ricky Martin sang." Ricky Martin has not commented on the lawsuit.