Judge rules Kesha bound by Dr. Luke contract

NEW YORK, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Singer Kesha Rose Sebert remains legally bound to her contract with songwriter and music producer Dr. Luke amid allegations he has sexually, physically and verbally abused her.

A N.Y. judge ruled Friday it wouldn't be reasonable to break the contract, especially one "heavily negotiated and typical for the industry," despite Kesha's claims of abuse.

Upon hearing the judge's decision against granting her a preliminary injunction -- which would temporarily nullify the initial contract -- the "Tik Tok" singer reportedly broke down in tears from the back row of the courtroom, where she sat with her mother.

The decision was influenced in part by Sony's claim to let Kesha work with another producer, although her attorney, Mark Geragos, reportedly argued the label's promise was "illusory," and the company would not promote music from a different producer.

Geragos also argued Sony was more heavily invested in Dr. Luke than Kesha because he made them more money.

The news comes several weeks after two lawsuits filed by Dr. Luke against Kesha's mother, Pebe Sebert, and manager Jack Rovner were dropped by a N.Y. judge. The producer claims the two encouraged Kesha to attempt to extort him and forcefully escape her recording contract.