We’re about one day away from the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and we know that the third movie in the live-action film franchise will include the iconic song “Live & Learn” from Sonic Adventure 2. While Sonic fans will likely feel real nostalgic upon hearing the song in the film, the artist behind the track and several others within the franchise is now suing Sega for allegedly using the song without proper licensing.
Polygon reports that Johnny Gioeli, the vocalist of rock band Crush 40, has filed a lawsuit, claiming the blue blur publisher has breached its contract with the musician. The suit was filed on December 5, and alleges that Sega has been using the song without properly compensating him, as it only has rights to the lyrics of songs like “Live & Learn,” but not to the master recording featured in Sonic Adventure 2 and other games it’s appeared in during the 23 years since. “Live & Learn” has been featured in games like Sonic Generations and non-Sonic games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Gioeli alleges he wasn’t rightly compensated for these and other uses of the song.
Gioeli says in the lawsuit that he has personally “maintained and registered” the song with licensing agency BMI, and also holds the copyright that lists him as the author that holds the rights and permissions for the composition and lyrics. According to the lawsuit, Gioeli says he was only aware “Live & Learn” had been used in the original release of Sonic Adventure 2, and was only clued into all the other times it had been used by a fan in 2024.
Gioeli is looking to the court for clarity on who owns the masters of the original song and is seeking compensation for all the uses of the song beyond those in Sonic Adventure 2. Gioeli confirmed earlier this year that he had signed a deal with Paramount allowing the use of “Live & Learn” in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. He has been in contact with at least two lawyers regarding the dispute, one from Sega who told him he didn’t have rights to the song, and another who allegedly called the song a “joint work,” making Gioeli entitled to “50 percent of Sega’s profits” from the song. The singer’s lawyer says that damages would include $500,000, along with at least another $500,000 for unpaid royalties.
In a statement to Polygon, Gioeli said he wants to maintain his relationship with Sega and doesn’t want this to sully the memories fans have made with Crush 40’s music.
“I have no comment other than my desire to maintain the preservation of a long standing beautiful relationship with Sega,” Gioeli said in his statement to Polygon. “I do not want fans to draw conclusions or be disrupted from the beautiful memories we have made collectively with this music. I believe and hope we will come to a peaceful settlement that will be fair and just.”
Crush 40 have been featured in several Sonic games since the original Sonic Adventure, having contributed music to games like Sonic Heroes, Shadow the Hedgehog, and Sonic and the Black Knight. Though their contributions to the series have become more scarce in recent years, their music has been re-used in several games, including this year’s Shadow Generations.