Missy Elliott and Terry Williams settled their copyright dispute on August 22, 2025, shortly before jury selection was scheduled to begin in federal court in Philadelphia. The settlement ended the trial setting without a jury verdict on Williams’ claim that he co-wrote songs associated with the R&B group SISTA. The reported settlement terms were not disclosed.
What Terry Williams alleged
Williams, a music producer who represented himself, alleged that he was an uncredited co-author of songs he created with Elliott and that were later used in recordings by other artists. His claims concerned SISTA songs including “Sweat You Down,” “Secret Admirer,” “I Wanna Know” and “I Wanna Be With U,” as well as Aaliyah’s “Heartbroken.” Elliott disputed Williams’ account of their working relationship and his claimed authorship. These were allegations, not findings that Williams co-wrote the songs.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Under Construction | $38.09 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Missy Elliott - Under Construction | $60.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Missy Elliott - Under Construction Exclusive Club Edition Orange Crush Color Vinyl 2x LP | $75.58 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
MISSY ELLIOTT album sampler EASTWEST 12 (promo) | $6.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
MISSY ELLIOTT under construction ELEKTRA LP | $40.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Elliott was a member of SISTA from 1993 to 1995. The group released 4 All the Sistas Around Da World in 1994; after its initial release, the album was shelved and later returned to digital and streaming platforms in May 2017. Aaliyah’s “Heartbroken” appeared on One in a Million, released August 27, 1996. The court’s opinion states that the album sold eight million copies but does not name the original source for that figure. Read the Eastern District of Pennsylvania’s 2024 memorandum opinion.
What the judge decided in 2024
On August 26, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ruled on competing requests for summary judgment. It granted Elliott’s motion on all claims tied to Aaliyah’s “Heartbroken,” finding the copyright co-ownership claim and related state-law claims time-barred. It denied Elliott’s motion on the claims tied to SISTA songs because the limitations defense was not sufficient on the record then before the court. The judge also denied Williams’ motion for summary judgment.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall#1 Best Overall
| Claims concerned | 2024 ruling | What the ruling did—and did not—decide |
|---|---|---|
| Aaliyah’s “Heartbroken” | Elliott received summary judgment on all claims premised on the song. | The claims were dismissed as time-barred; the ruling did not decide the SISTA-song claims. |
| SISTA songs | Elliott’s summary-judgment motion was denied on these claims. | The claims remained disputed at that stage. The denial did not establish Williams’ authorship or ownership. |
| Williams’ motion | Denied in full. | The court did not grant Williams summary judgment on his claims. |
The opinion’s result was procedural, not a determination that Williams deserved songwriting credit for the SISTA material. Those claims were still unresolved after the 2024 ruling.
Why the scheduled trial did not happen
The remaining Elliott-related claims were set for a jury trial. Williams and Elliott reached a settlement on August 22, 2025, just before jury selection was to begin. Bloomberg Law reported that the settlement resolved claims in two related lawsuits and that Judge Nitza I. Quiñones Alejandro entered an order dismissing the claims. The settlement terms were not disclosed, so the available reporting does not establish whether Williams received payment, credit, royalties or any particular rights. Courthouse News Service reported the settlement timing; Bloomberg Law reported the related suits and dismissal.
Rank #2
- Missy Elliott
- Under Construction
What remains unresolved publicly
Because the dispute settled before jury selection, there was no trial verdict deciding whether Williams co-wrote the SISTA songs. The public reporting cited here also does not disclose the agreement’s terms. The 2024 opinion settled the claims tied to “Heartbroken” on limitations grounds, while the SISTA claims remained contested until the settlement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #3
- Exclusive Limited Club Edition Orange Crush Color Vinyl 2x LP Record
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
