Sega and Johnny Gioeli, the vocalist for iconic rock band Crush 40, have concluded a lengthy legal dispute over the song 'Live & Learn', a central theme of Sonic Adventure 2 and a beloved staple across the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise.
The disagreement, which spanned from 2024 through to the final court ruling in 2025, revolved around ownership rights to the song and its use in various Sonic titles and media—including many available via the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo eShop. First released in 2001 with Sonic Adventure 2 on the Sega Dreamcast, 'Live & Learn' has become synonymous with the Sonic franchise, later featuring in titles such as Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate and Sonic Frontiers.
However, in December 2024, Polygon reported that Johnny Gioeli filed a lawsuit against Sega of America, claiming breach of contract concerning the use and copyright status of the song.
Gioeli alleged that although Sega paid $3,000 for the original recording, the company used 'Live & Learn' without proper permission in at least 25 subsequent games. According to court documents, Gioeli argued that while Sega owned the rights to the lyrics, he retained rights to the sound recording and musical composition.
He asserted that no agreement transferred master rights and that the song's registration as a composition remained in his name.
Sega contended otherwise, and in July 2025, sought and secured a summary judgment to dismiss Gioeli’s claims. The final ruling, reported by Sonic Stadium and Eurogamer, came in August 2025.
The court backed Sega, dismissing Gioeli’s claims to recording rights and cancelling two copyright registrations he had made in 2024.
Although Gioeli’s legal team maintained the case was dismissed due to timing rather than ownership, the judgment put to rest the ongoing uncertainties about Sega’s rights to use 'Live & Learn' throughout the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Despite the contentious legal process—described as a 'messy and somewhat unsightly legal tussle'—the relationship between Gioeli and Sega remains a topic of interest among fans.
Gioeli himself expressed his desire to preserve what he called a 'long-standing beautiful relationship' with Sega, hoping that the music's legacy and the fan experience would not be overshadowed by legal proceedings. The saga took another turn in January 2026 when Sega released a celebratory video marking 35 years of Sonic the Hedgehog, featuring a remix of 'Live & Learn'.
Fans took this inclusion as confirmation that legal hurdles surrounding the song had been cleared.
Gioeli responded to online inquiries by reaffirming, 'all is good'.
While he initially described the song's rights as being in an 'abyss of ownership', recent developments strongly indicate that Sega’s legal position has prevailed. Notably, the dispute did not impact the song’s licensing in other media such as the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film, as confirmed by Gioeli's separate agreement with Paramount earlier in 2024. With the legal complexities now resolved, Sega's stewardship of 'Live & Learn' strengthens the Sonic franchise’s musical legacy on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo eShop, and beyond, ensuring fans will continue to enjoy the iconic track for years to come.
The disagreement, which spanned from 2024 through to the final court ruling in 2025, revolved around ownership rights to the song and its use in various Sonic titles and media—including many available via the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo eShop. First released in 2001 with Sonic Adventure 2 on the Sega Dreamcast, 'Live & Learn' has become synonymous with the Sonic franchise, later featuring in titles such as Super Smash Bros.
Ultimate and Sonic Frontiers.
However, in December 2024, Polygon reported that Johnny Gioeli filed a lawsuit against Sega of America, claiming breach of contract concerning the use and copyright status of the song.
Gioeli alleged that although Sega paid $3,000 for the original recording, the company used 'Live & Learn' without proper permission in at least 25 subsequent games. According to court documents, Gioeli argued that while Sega owned the rights to the lyrics, he retained rights to the sound recording and musical composition.
He asserted that no agreement transferred master rights and that the song's registration as a composition remained in his name.
Sega contended otherwise, and in July 2025, sought and secured a summary judgment to dismiss Gioeli’s claims. The final ruling, reported by Sonic Stadium and Eurogamer, came in August 2025.
The court backed Sega, dismissing Gioeli’s claims to recording rights and cancelling two copyright registrations he had made in 2024.
Although Gioeli’s legal team maintained the case was dismissed due to timing rather than ownership, the judgment put to rest the ongoing uncertainties about Sega’s rights to use 'Live & Learn' throughout the Sonic the Hedgehog series. Despite the contentious legal process—described as a 'messy and somewhat unsightly legal tussle'—the relationship between Gioeli and Sega remains a topic of interest among fans.
Gioeli himself expressed his desire to preserve what he called a 'long-standing beautiful relationship' with Sega, hoping that the music's legacy and the fan experience would not be overshadowed by legal proceedings. The saga took another turn in January 2026 when Sega released a celebratory video marking 35 years of Sonic the Hedgehog, featuring a remix of 'Live & Learn'.
Fans took this inclusion as confirmation that legal hurdles surrounding the song had been cleared.
Gioeli responded to online inquiries by reaffirming, 'all is good'.
While he initially described the song's rights as being in an 'abyss of ownership', recent developments strongly indicate that Sega’s legal position has prevailed. Notably, the dispute did not impact the song’s licensing in other media such as the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film, as confirmed by Gioeli's separate agreement with Paramount earlier in 2024. With the legal complexities now resolved, Sega's stewardship of 'Live & Learn' strengthens the Sonic franchise’s musical legacy on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo eShop, and beyond, ensuring fans will continue to enjoy the iconic track for years to come.
