Panayiotou v Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd Panayiotou v Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd Panayiotou and others v Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. ([1994] ChD 142) was a contract and entertainment law case before the High Court of Justice's Chancery Division. The plaintiff, entertainer George Michael, argued that his recording contract constituted an unreasonable restraint of trade. Michael alleged that the defendant had failed to promote his album "Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1" with due vigour as punishment when the artist decided to downplay his status as a sex symbol. Michael described his situation as "professional slavery" because his contract required that he produce music and cede
Panayiotou v Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd on 30 October 1992, and Justice Jonathan Parker issued a ruling on 1 June 1994. The plaintiff's claims were wholly rejected. Parker held that Michael's contracts were reasonable and fair, especially in consideration of his access to expert legal advice, several renegotiations, and terms comparable to the industry standard for an artist of his commercial success. There were five prongs to the justice's dismissal: In July 1995, Sony sold the contract to rival record companies Virgin Records and DreamWorks Records. Panayiotou v Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd Panayiotou and others v Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. ([1994] ChD 142) was