Avicii’s Former Manager’s Defamation Lawsuit Against DJ’s Estate Dismissed

The District Court in Sweden ruled to dismiss a lawsuit Avicii‘s former manager, Arash “Ash” Pournouri, filed against the late DJ’s estate and surviving family members on March 4.

Pournouri had alleged that a Netflix documentary two years before the 2018 death of the DJ, whose real name is Tim Bergling, and two posthumously released books defamed him, violating a 2016 agreement that supposedly prevented Bergling from speaking about their partnership. Thomas Olsson, the attorney representing Bergling’s estate, family, and holdings, told the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, according to Sweden Herald, that the court came to its decision because Pournouri’s filing did not meet the requirements for such a lawsuit.

Olsson called the decision to dismiss the case “not entirely unexpected” in a statement. “It was quite obvious that this was a completely unfounded lawsuit, and it is only regrettable that Arash Pournouri is trying to squeeze out the last drops of attention that can be obtained from this case,” the lawyer said. “One can only hope that this is a clear message to him to leave this matter behind.”

In a statement, Pournouri tells Rolling Stone he believes Olsson’s characterization of the dismissmal is inaccurate. “The lawsuit was dismissed on procedural grounds, meaning the court never ruled on the merits of our case, in contrast to what their lawyer wrongly and intentionally insinuates,” he says. “The matter is being appealed to the Svea Court of Appeal and is ongoing.”

Pournouri’s suit said he objected to depictions of him that he believed made it seem like he had been responsible for Bergling’s mental illness and death by suicide, according to Sweden Herald. The suit contended that the way he was depicted in the film Avicii: True Stories (2016) and books Tim: The Official Biography of Avicii (2021) and Avicii: The Life and Music of Tim Bergling (2024) was “inaccurate” and “amounts to character assassination.”

Klas Bergling, the late DJ’s father, expressed appreciation for the judge ending the matter. “I just want to say how sad it is to see Tim’s name used in this context,” he said in a statement. “This process has raised strong emotions and a lot of discomfort for me and Tim’s mother, Anki. At the same time, we cannot understand Arash. We have said it several times since 2018, also in public: Neither I nor Tim’s mother have ever blamed Arash for Tim’s suicide.” Klas noted that he would decline further comments on the matter.

“I deliberately chose a declaratory action without any claim for damages, specifically to avoid burdening the other side with a heavier process than necessary,” Pournouri says. “If the system now forces me into a full claim with all financial and IP consequences attached, that will be a result of the system requirements, not my preference or choice. I remain committed to having the factual record established through the proper legal process.”

Pournouri, who recently left the judges’ panel of Idol (Sweden’s American Idol) after nearly two years, runs Unltd, a “brand builder, incubator, and accelerator,” which proudly touts his association with Avicii on its website.

This article was updated at 11:29 a.m. on March 9 to include Pournouri’s statements.