Sony Demotes Dr. Luke Amid Kesha Legal Battle

Lukasz Gottwald, known as Dr. Luke, is no longer the CEO of Kemosabe Records, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The producer's name has been separated from the company's on court papers, and the label has said he no longer posesses the authority to act on its behalf.

Gottwald created Kemosabe with Sony in 2011, and was responsible for producing many of the label's biggest hits-- "Wrecking Ball," "Since U Been Gone," "I Kissed A Girl"--as well as serving as executive producer for Kesha, one of Kemosabe's most successful chart-toppers.

Related | Kesha Loses Her Legal Battle with Dr. Luke

Kesha filed claims in 2014 that Gottwald had coerced her into taking drugs and then raped her. She also alleged he verbally abused her and withheld her proper share of profits on successful singles, such as "Tik Tok." What has ensued is a long, ugly legal battle in which Gottwald has countersued for defamation, and Kesha's request to break contract and separate from Luke is now entering its third pending appeal.

As rumors surface that Dr. Luke and Sony may split--his page on Kemosabe's website has also been taken down--Kesha fans rejoice, tut it doesn't mean the end of the road for the "We R Who We R" singer. Gottwald's defamation case continues to build evidence for a pending trial, and this split from Sony does nothing to help dissuade the notion that Kesha's lawsuit has hurt his career. Plus, without Sony in the mix, Kesha will have to interact directly with Gottwald in court.