Taylor Swift vs. Scooter Braun: Documentary reveals emotional battle and legal dispute over copyright

Taylor Swift vs. Scooter Braun: Bad Blood, a new two-part documentary from MAX, examines the long-running rivalry between pop sensation Taylor Swift and music business titan Scooter Braun. The dispute began in 2019 after Swift’s master recordings were acquired by Braun’s Big Machine Label Group, causing a public uproar. Swift bitterly rebuked Braun, accusing her of coercion and lamenting her lack of authority over her own creative output

According to the Mirror, the documentary offers an intimate look into Swift’s inner struggle, especially during this turbulent time, and shows how she struggled with severe psychological and professional difficulties.

Taylor’s response at the Billboard Women in Music Awards

Music journalist Mikael Wood recounted a poignant moment during the Billboard Women in Music Awards where Taylor Swift passionately expressed her grief, declaring, “My music was sold out under my nose.”

Swift revealed in a moving video statement that she had no chance to buy her music in its entirety. As a result, Swift’s entire catalog was sold to Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings.

She stressed that none of the investors ever attempted to contact her or her team directly to due diligence on their investment. Her statements underscored the profound impact the deal had on her career and artistic integrity, both personally and professionally.

Another journalist, Zing Tsjeng, agreed, stating that Taylor Swift seemed distressed. She noted that it was inappropriate that someone had purchased Taylor’s catalog without notifying her. Tsjeng added that Taylor seemed visibly upset and was struggling with the issue. Tsjeng stated that this was not the right way to handle the situation.

Swift’s response and documentary format

Swift also released a statement saying, “Taylor has fully moved on from this ordeal and has transformed what was once an extraordinary situation into one of her most rewarding artistic endeavors.”

Taylor’s legacy as a songwriter, performer, director, philanthropist and supporter of artists’ rights will not be diminished by any of these individuals. Swift said in June 2019 that she learned about Scooter Braun’s purchase of her master’s degree as soon as it became public, explaining that all she could think about was the years of relentless, dishonest harassment she experienced at his hands.

According to InStyle, she went on to say that Scooter had now robbed her of her life’s work, which she was not allowed to purchase. The documentary’s unique format allows viewers to watch both segments and form their own opinion, according to a press release from USA Today.