The iconic song “Live and Learn” from Sonic Adventure 2 is at the center of a legal battle, as its writer, John Gioeli, has filed a lawsuit against Sega. Gioeli claims partial ownership of the song’s rights and alleges that Sega has been exploiting it without his permission for two decades, generating substantial profits.
According to the lawsuit, initially reported by Polygon and reviewed by IGN, Gioeli, who wrote and performed “Live and Learn,” asserts that he has maintained his songwriting registration for over 20 years. Despite this, Sega has allegedly been claiming sole ownership and acting accordingly, licensing the song for use in “at least 25 video games, television shows, live performances/events, and films.”
The core of the dispute stems from a 2001 agreement where Gioeli was paid $3000 to pen lyrics for a song intended for Sonic Adventure 2. Gioeli created these lyrics at his home studio, utilizing his own equipment and vocals, with minimal direct input from Sega. While he collaborated with Sega composer Jun Senoue via phone, the lawsuit argues that the scope of Gioeli’s contribution expanded beyond mere lyrics without any formal amendment to the initial agreement, which was solely for lyric writing. Gioeli reportedly made significant revisions to the song, communicating these changes to Senoue remotely.
Consequently, Sega maintains ownership of both the recording and the musical composition. However, Gioeli contends that this assertion is unfounded and unsupported by any formal agreement. Adding complexity, Gioeli claims Sega has previously acknowledged the composition as “likely jointly owned.” He even alleges that a Sega lawyer once suggested he was entitled to 50% of the profits derived from the song’s usage.
Despite his ongoing professional relationship with Sega and involvement in numerous projects with clearly defined ownership agreements, Gioeli states he was unaware of the extensive use of “Live and Learn” across various media for two decades. It was reportedly through a fan that Gioeli discovered the song’s widespread presence, eventually identifying its inclusion in 25 video games. These encompass titles across different franchises, including multiple Yakuza and Sonic games, Super Smash Bros., Phantasy Star Online, the maimai series, and Monster Hunter Rise. Interestingly, Gioeli was even involved in licensing “Live and Learn” for the upcoming movie Sonic the Hedgehog 3, negotiating the deal with Paramount.
In his lawsuit, Gioeli seeks a court ruling to definitively establish the ownership of “Live and Learn.” Furthermore, he is demanding restitution for owed earnings and damages for breach of the original 2001 Lyric Agreement. The legal proceedings are set to unfold, potentially reshaping the understanding of music rights within the video game industry, especially concerning iconic tracks like “Live And Learn Sonic” that resonate deeply with fans.
