LOS ANGELES – A defamation lawsuit brought by Arash Pournouri, former manager of the late DJ Avicii (Tim Bergling), against Bergling's estate has been dismissed, much to the surprise of absolutely no one familiar with basic legal principles. Pournouri had alleged that a documentary and two posthumously released books constituted a “character assassination” against him, apparently believing that the primary purpose of an artist's legacy is to serve as a PR firm for their former business associates.

“Mr. Pournouri’s legal team argued that the estate had a fiduciary duty to paint him in the most flattering light possible, even if it meant rewriting history,” stated Judge Eleanor Vance in her ruling. “We found no precedent for this, particularly when the deceased artist’s own story was being told.” Vance added that the court system is already overburdened without having to litigate the subjective feelings of individuals mentioned in historical accounts.

Sources close to the estate, who wished to remain anonymous to avoid their own future character assassinations, suggested the lawsuit was a desperate attempt to control the narrative. “It’s almost as if he thought Tim’s death meant he could dictate the entire story from now on,” one source reportedly chuckled. “Good luck with that.”

The ruling is expected to set a new standard for former managers everywhere, reminding them that their professional conduct might, in fact, be subject to public scrutiny, even after their client is no longer around to defend themselves.