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Why Are These EDM Giants Suing Michelle Phan?

michelle-phan-embedPhoto: Via @michellephan.

Update: Michelle Phan's legal team has issued the following statement. "Ultra’s lawsuit against Michelle Phan lacks any merit. Ultra agreed to allow Michelle to use the music and Michelle intends to fight this lawsuit and bring her own claims against Ultra.
Michelle's intention has always been to promote other artists, creating a platform for their work to be showcased to an international audience. Kaskade, whose music has been featured in Michelle's videos, has publicly defended Michelle against Ultra's claims and acknowledges the success he's gained from her support."

We love Michelle Phan's totally addictive — and extremely helpful — YouTube makeup tutorials. We're equally impressed with how Phan managed to turn her love of beauty products into a full-time career with her own cosmetics line and endorsement deals. You know who's not so fond of Phan, though? Major EDM artists who release music through Ultra Records.
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Michelle was recently hit with a massive lawsuit. The record label, which counts Calvin Harris, Kaskade, David Guetta, and Deadmau5 among its biggest names, is suing the beauty vlogger for copyright infringement. The complaint claims that Phan frequently uses its artists' songs without obtaining a license to do so, and that she's profiting from the videos.
Ultra doesn't just want some back-end residuals, either. Per Reuters, it wants "maximum statutory damages of $150,000 for each infringed work or unspecified damages to be determined." Phan also has to stop using the label's music immediately.
Ultra Records reportedly alerted Michelle to the fact that she needed a license to continue using the songs, but she never got one. The videos have been viewed over 150 million times, which translates to major YouTube ad revenue. Phan has yet to respond directly to the suit, but she did post this tweet thanking followers for their support.

Fans were quick to back her up.

Here's hoping Ultra Records and Michelle Phan can work through this bad romance with minimal mascara-stained tears on both sides. (TMZ)
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