Jermaine Dupri & Jacquees Hit w/ Copyright Lawsuit-Florida Brothers Say ‘Pick It Up’ Copied Their 1992 Song

Jermaine Dupri, Jacquees

Jermaine Dupri & Jacquees Hit w/ Copyright Lawsuit-Florida Brothers Say ‘Pick It Up’ Copied Their 1992 Song

Jermaine Dupri and Jacquees are facing a new copyright battle after two Florida brothers accused the artists of lifting parts of a song they released more than three decades ago.

Van and Patrick Watler, who performed together as the rap duo Home Team, filed a federal lawsuit on September 21, 2026, claiming Dupri and Jacquees’ 2023 track “Pick It Up” copies protected elements from their own song of the same name, released in 1992.

The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, also names independent label Mass Appeal as a defendant.

According to the brothers, portions of the lyrics and melody from their original “Pick It Up” appear in the newer recording without authorization. They claim neither Dupri, Jacquees nor Mass Appeal contacted them to secure permission or a license before the 2023 song was released.

However, the lawsuit does not identify the exact lyrics or melodic sections the Watlers believe were copied. Their allegations have not yet been proven in court.

The brothers further allege the newer “Pick It Up” has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars through streaming, downloads, sales, radio play, licensing and synchronization deals. That financial estimate was made “on information and belief,” meaning they currently do not have access to the defendants’ full financial records.

The Watlers are seeking more than $150,000 in general damages and over $150,000 in additional special damages. They also want statutory damages, an accounting of revenue, songwriting credits, publishing rights and an injunction blocking Mass Appeal from continuing to sell the track.

Dupri, Jacquees and Mass Appeal have not yet filed responses to the lawsuit.