Nicci Gilbert, the talented singer, songwriter, and actress known for her work with the R&B group Brownstone, has faced a significant legal setback in her ongoing battle against Lionsgate, Starz, and the hit series “P-Valley.”
The former “R&B Divas” star has been ordered to pay a hefty sum of $600,000 in legal fees after her copyright infringement lawsuit against the entertainment giants was dismissed.
Nicci initially filed the lawsuit in 2022, claiming that “P-Valley,” a popular drama series that delves into the lives of strippers in the Mississippi Delta, had stolen elements from her 2011 musical stage play, “Soul Kittens Cabaret.”
She alleged that the show’s creators copied key aspects of her work, including the storyline, characters, and themes, without her permission or proper credit.
In her lawsuit, Nicci Gilbert sought compensation and an injunction to halt further distribution of the show.
However, after a thorough review of the case, the court sided with Lionsgate and Starz, finding that the similarities between the two works were not substantial enough to constitute copyright infringement.
The dismissal of the case was a significant blow to Nicci, who had been vocal about her belief that her intellectual property had been unfairly used.
As a result of the dismissal, Nicci Gilbert has now been ordered to cover the legal fees incurred by Lionsgate, Starz, and the creators of “P-Valley.”
The $600,000 judgment adds insult to injury, marking a difficult chapter in Nicci’s fight to protect her creative work.
In a video posted on her YouTube channel, Nicci said that the court determined her case was frivolous.
She also shared that she owes her attorney a million in legal fees and $50,000 for the export report that she says a judge simply “threw out.”
“These people are trying to destroy us financially. It ain’t gone happen,” Nicci said.
Watch the video below.
Despite the outcome, Nicci Gilbert remains a fierce advocate for artists’ rights and continues to inspire through her music and creative projects.
For more information on the background of Nicci Gilbert’s lawsuit and the similarities she claimed between her play and “P-Valley,” you can read the full details in this blog post here.
Nicci Gilbert is planning to appeal.
“P-Valley” Season 3 is currently in production.
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