Snoop Dogg Ends up Top Dogg

The Sixth Circuit, which has brought upon itself an avalanche of suits involving Bridgeport Music, just issued an interesting opinion involving Snoop Doggy Dog. The issue confronted was this: is someone who makes a sound recording of an allegedly infringing musical composition contributorily liable when others make covers of that musical composition without a (voluntary) license from defendant, and defendant receives royalties from the covers?

The Sixth Circuit affirmed a grant of summary judgment to defendant, also rejecting a duty to police infringements. Here's a link to the opinion. Here's a link to an article about Mr. Dogg's Doggy Biscuitz sneakers, of which I own.