It sounds like they have a case. Do not take for granted big performers and record companies always win. The fact is that the only one they may have actually understood the copy write violation was the producer. I would not expect that Nelly would even have listened to the mod before the producer brought it into the studio. The record company would not even had a clue.
The two things that come to mind. George Harrison loosing to american writer the violation of copy write for All Things must pass (At the time one of the biggest artists and Biggest labels.
There also was a Canadian band that recorded an album (as in real album ) they disbanded and formed another band. 5 years latter a Phoenix DJ played there album of US radio. It went to top 10 Capital had re released the Album as a CD and the band Sheriff sued for violation of there reproductive and distribution rights. Album was pressed before CD was available. The band Frozen Ghost containing the original song writing duo received millions in there case.
Because the record companies are trying to preserve existing copy write laws and enforce them it is my feeling they will bend over backwards to protect the original mod writers copy write.
It is also important to remember under US copy write laws the original tune may be considered lapsed. If the producer could not get a hold of original writer (It would be hard to trace handle with no actual name). But this would not prevent the original owner of the song from trying to exersise their writes at other places the song is being distributed.
Also the bad press and availability of proof may actually cause Nelly and Geffen to recognize the theft and start negotiating (if the original composer would actually come forward). For all we know the original composer was the producer using the handle on the mod.
