Sony Music lawyer Scott A Edelman said, "Sony is doing everything it can to support the artist in these circumstances, but is legally unable to terminate the contract to which it is not a party."
The initial contract with Kesha, signed in 2005, was between her and Kasz Money, Dr Luke's company, reported Billboard.
From there, Luke brought the agreement, in 2009, to Sony Music subsidiary RCA/Jive, signing what amounts to a distribution deal on that initial 2005 contract.
Through these various agreements, breakups, formations and transfers, Kasz Money essentially licensed its contract with Kesha to various Sony Music subsidiaries, but retained ownership of the agreement throughout.