The music is allegedly now in limbo.
The long-running authorized dispute over the possession of Sonic Journey 2’s iconic theme, Reside & Study, has come to a halt. Musician Johnny Gioeli, vocalist for the band Crush 40, has confirmed that his lawsuit in opposition to Sega has been dismissed.
Again in December 2024, Gioeli filed go well with in opposition to Sega, alleging that the corporate had overstepped the bounds of his contract by utilizing Reside & Study in a number of tasks past its authentic look in Sonic Journey 2. He claimed sole possession of the monitor, stating that he wrote, recorded, and produced it independently in his personal studio, and that he nonetheless possesses the grasp recording.
Though acknowledging the opportunity of joint possession with Sega, Gioeli argued that Sega’s stake was restricted to the music’s lyrics. The lawsuit accused Sega of exploiting the monitor throughout greater than 25 video video games, in addition to in tv, movie, and stay performances, all with out his direct approval. The musician sought compensation and authorized readability over the music’s rights.
On September 22, 2025, Gioeli introduced on X that the case had been dismissed. In his assertion, he emphasised that the dismissal was primarily based on timing slightly than possession, leaving the rights to Reside & Study unresolved:
“The music stays in limbo,” Gioeli wrote. “Simply two weeks in the past, I used to be contacted by Epic Video games to probably use Reside & Study… and the superb half is Sega had them name me for the rights to make use of the music. So, there you’ve got it. Essentially the most epic music stays within the abyss of possession.”
Apparently, this assertion follows latest leaks suggesting that Fortnite could function a Sonic the Hedgehog crossover, although neither Epic Video games nor Sega has confirmed this.
Gioeli stays adamant that the music is his creation:
“The music is mine. I wrote it with Jun, I sing it, I created the melody, I recorded my vocals in my studio, and they don’t personal it.”
He closed his message by thanking followers for his or her help:
“Life isn’t at all times truthful… however all of us transfer ahead in love and music.”
As of now, Sega and Epic Video games haven’t commented on the matter.
Supply: GamesIndustry.biz
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