Ariana Grande’s legal efforts to punish those responsible for leaking her unreleased music are gaining momentum.
The singer was granted a motion on Tuesday that will accelerate the subpoena process to identify the individuals behind the alleged illegal leaks.
The lawsuit, initially filed late last month, alleges that 45 unreleased songs were leaked in 2023 alone. It further claims that hundreds of unreleased tracks have been leaked since Grande began her music career in 2011.
After suffering multiple instances in which her unreleased music and videos were leaked online by hackers, Grande recently scored a small legal victory that could fast-track the process of putting an end to the leaks.
The singer had earlier filed a proposed order for expedited discovery, which would allow her to quickly subpoena information that could help identify those responsible for the leaks.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark H. Epstein granted the request, waiving the typical waiting period attached to such subpoenas.
“Given that there is no one to whom notice can be given anyway, it makes little sense to wait the 16 days,” the judge ruled. “And on the merits of the motion, good cause is shown.”
The Singer Races To Protect Her Unreleased Music
As to why Grande’s attorneys made the ex parte application for expedited discovery, they explained that it was intended to prevent further leaks and to quickly identify those responsible.
“There is an increased risk that additional content will be stolen or sold, and that the account, subscriber, and login data needed to identify Defendants will be lost,” the filing stated.
Their argument partly centered on the need to subpoena certain online platforms and third-party services connected to the alleged hacking activity as quickly as possible.
These include social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, and Discord, as well as payment services such as PayPal and Cash App. The singer is not accusing any of these companies of wrongdoing.
Hundreds Of Ariana Grande Songs Have Allegedly Been Stolen
Grande’s lawsuit over the leak of her unreleased music was filed in July. In it, she claimed that anonymous hackers broke into the personal digital accounts and devices of her photographers and producers using stolen login credentials and phishing schemes.
She noted that in 2023 alone, around 45 songs she had not yet publicly released were stolen or leaked. Over the years since her 2011 debut, that number has reached the hundreds, which she claimed had caused her “irreparable harm.”
Now, serving the subpoenas could take several weeks or months, and it remains unclear how those served will respond. Regardless, the case is due back in court on January 25 for a status hearing, which will assess the case’s current progress and determine what needs to happen next.
Ariana Grande Wants Her Music Leakers Behind Bars
In a 2024 interview, Grande personally expressed how upset she was about her songs and videos being leaked.
“Before I left for Wicked, the few studio sessions that I did — which are all over TikTok, thank you so much. I’ll see you in jail, literally,” Grande noted at the time on the Zach Sang Show.
She also discussed how a song, “Fantasize,” made for a TV show, was leaked on the video app.
“‘Fantasize’ comes out,” she said. “Comes out. Crazy. Was stolen — by thieves, pirates, or illegally. I’ll pay you more to put it away, to get it back.”
The singer went on to say that there was a positive side to the leak, as she took what people liked about it and incorporated those ideas into Eternal Sunshine.
Ariana Grande Opens Up About Her Upcoming Hiatus
News of Grande taking a break from the spotlight has been swirling for a while, and the singer sought to address it earlier this month during a performance at Chicago’s United Center.
“It is something that I had decided to plan that I had quietly made a long time ago, and it’s a decision that was made from a thoughtful and empowered place,” the singer said of her proposed break.
“Human beings can need a break sometimes. And also, this can be and will continue to be the greatest experience of my professional and creative life,” she added.
