Ohio federal court tosses DSW's pre-emptive copyright suit against Sony Music

Judge Michael H. Watson of the US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio dismissed Designer Shoe Warehouse's declaratory judgment claims against Sony Music Entertainment on 5 August 2026, calling the filing "anticipatory." Under the first-to-file doctrine, Sony's infringement case in California, filed 6 August 2025, takes priority. DSW's claims against Sony Music Publishing, Universal Music and BMG remain before the Ohio court.