Choreographer Darrin Henson has filed a lawsuit against Sony Music Holdings, alleging the unauthorized use of his iconic “Bye Bye Bye” dance. Henson claims that Sony illicitly incorporated his choreography into the popular video game Fortnite and the upcoming film “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
According to the lawsuit, Henson is the rightful owner of the dance movements, which he created in 1999 for *NSYNC’s debut live performance of their hit song “Bye Bye Bye.” He asserts that he never signed any “work for hire” agreement that would transfer his ownership rights to others. The suit contends that Sony licensed his work without consent, lacking the necessary rights to do so.
Henson argues that his choreography has been used and reinterpreted in a way that severs its connection to him, leading to its association primarily with a film character rather than its original creator. He also points out that individuals, including actor Nick Paul, who performed the dance in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” are profiting from his work while he has received neither recognition nor compensation.
Interestingly, neither Marvel nor Epic Games are named as defendants in the lawsuit. The complaint specifically targets Sony’s role in the alleged unauthorized licensing of the dance. Henson believes Sony’s claims to the dance might be based on their ownership of the “Bye Bye Bye” music video rights, but he argues they failed to adequately acknowledge his creative contribution when securing their copyrights.