Judge Dismisses Kesha's Appeal In Label Suit

NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess) — A judge in New York has dismissed singer Kesha's appeal in her case against Sony Music.

Kesha, the singer who produced hits such as "Tic Took," had appealed a February decision denying her bid to be released from her recording contract with Sony imprint Kemosabe Records and its head Lukasz "Dr. Luke" Gottwald.

However, on Wednesday, Manhattan state Supreme Court Justice Shirley Werner Kornreich ruled that the court had no jurisdiction over the claims, and that "failed to plead that any of the alleged discrimination occurred in New York State or City."

The court also ruled that Kesha's claims that the alleged abuse constituted a hate crime.

"Although Gottwald's alleged actions were directed to Kesha, who is female, (her claims) do not allege that Gottwald harbored animus toward women or was motivated by gender animus when he allegedly behaved violently toward Kesha," Kornreich wrote. "Every rape is not a gender-motivated hate crime."

Kesha, whose full name is Kesha Rose Sebert, has alleged that Gottwald had emotionally, physically and sexually abused her after persuading her to move away from her family at the age of 18 to pursue a recording career. Gottwald has denied the rape allegations, citing court proceedings in 2011 in which Kesha testified that the alleged rape never took place.

Kesha is seeking undisclosed monetary damages and to be let out of her contracts. – Staff Writers