Sara Landry Filed Trademark Lawsuit Against Management Firm

The electronic music artist alleges her former management company continued to use her trademarks without authorization.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Marketing

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Electronic music artist Sara Landry filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against her former management firm, The Night Department, in Manhattan federal court. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Sara Landry has launched a trademark infringement lawsuit against The Night Department in Manhattan federal court. The action follows the termination of her management agreement with the firm in August 2025.

Why it matters

The legal dispute highlights concerns over artist control, as Landry alleges the firm improperly claimed ownership of her music and label assets while failing to manage her operations.

The lawsuit alleges The Night Department sought 50% ownership of Landry's music and label. The dispute remains subject to ongoing legal proceedings in both Manhattan and the U.K.

The players

Sara Landry

She is a prominent electronic music artist who has publicly challenged the management practices of her former representation.

The Night Department

This is a management firm that previously handled the professional affairs of Sara Landry and is currently embroiled in multiple lawsuits with her.

ASK Management and Advisory

This organization currently serves as the management firm for the electronic music artist Sara Landry.

The details

Landry alleges that The Night Department continued to use her trademarks after their professional relationship ended, creating a false impression of authorized representation. The artist, who now works with ASK Management and Advisory, claims the firm prioritized financial gain over her operational rights.

Timeline

  1. Sara Landry signed a management deal with The Night Department in 2023.

  2. Landry terminated her management contract in August 2025.

  3. The Night Department filed a breach of contract lawsuit against Landry in July 2026.

  4. Landry filed her trademark infringement lawsuit on October 6, 2026.

Market Landscape

This dispute reflects the industry-wide shift toward artists asserting greater control over their master rights and professional representation. It marks a departure from traditional management models where firms often maintained long-term stakes in an artist's catalog.

This legal battle does not immediately change access to Landry's music for fans. However, it underscores the complexities of artist-management contracts that can influence the long-term availability and distribution of future releases.

The takeaway

Disputes over management rights illustrate the critical importance of clear contractual boundaries regarding intellectual property. Artists and creators should ensure their management agreements explicitly define the duration and scope of trademark usage post-termination.

Further reading

Explore more legal and brand developments in the Marketing section.

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Do you believe artists should retain full ownership of their work after ending a management contract?