Netflix has firmly pushed back against allegations from Sean “Diddy” Combs that footage used in its newly released docuseries was obtained unlawfully. The streaming platform maintains that all material featured in the project was acquired legally and with proper authorization.

The four-part docuseries, Sean Combs: The Reckoning, produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and released earlier this week, examines Combs’ rise to prominence in the music industry as well as the controversies and legal troubles that ultimately led to his downfall. Shortly after the series debuted, Combs’ legal team accused Netflix of airing a “biased production” that allegedly relied on stolen and unauthorized footage.

Netflix has categorically denied those claims. According to the company, it holds the necessary rights to every piece of footage used and took extensive steps to ensure ethical sourcing. The series combines interviews with former associates, industry insiders, and archival material, including never-before-seen footage filmed in the days leading up to Combs’ federal arrest on sex-trafficking-related charges.

Director Alexandria Stapleton addressed the controversy in an interview with Tudum, Netflix’s official publication, stating that the filmmakers went to great lengths to protect their sources and follow legal protocols. “The footage came to us legally, and we have all the required rights,” Stapleton said. “We also worked diligently to protect the identity of the filmmaker who provided the material.” She added that Combs had a long-standing habit of filming himself over the decades, which contributed to the volume of archival content available.

Stapleton also revealed that Netflix repeatedly reached out to Combs and his legal representatives to request interviews and comments for the series, but those offers were declined. As a result, the filmmakers proceeded without Combs’ direct participation.

In a separate statement issued by a Netflix spokesperson and shared with USA TODAY on December 2, the company reiterated its position and rejected claims that the project was driven by personal vendettas or hidden agendas. “The allegations being made about Sean Combs: The Reckoning are false,” the statement read. “The project has no connection to any prior discussions between Netflix and Sean Combs. The footage leading up to his indictment and arrest was legally obtained, and this series is not a hit piece or an act of retaliation.”

Netflix further clarified that while Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson serves as an executive producer, he did not have creative control over the documentary. The company also emphasized that no participants were paid for their involvement, countering suggestions that interviews were financially motivated.

The response from Netflix comes amid criticism from Combs’ camp, which has questioned the documentary’s credibility due to Jackson’s well-documented rivalry with the Bad Boy Records founder. Combs’ spokesperson, Juda Engelmayer, described the series as a “shameful hit piece” and declined to address specific allegations raised in the documentary.

Engelmayer argued that many individuals featured in the series harbor longstanding personal grievances or financial motivations and claimed that several allegations have either already been addressed in court or were never raised legally because they lack merit. He also criticized the documentary for presenting what he described as a one-sided narrative that repeats accusations without sufficient context or verification.

Combs is currently serving a federal prison sentence in New Jersey and is also facing numerous civil lawsuits accusing him of a prolonged pattern of abusive behavior. Despite the mounting legal challenges, he has consistently denied all wrongdoing.

In July, Combs was convicted on two counts of transporting individuals to engage in prostitution in a federal criminal trial. While he was acquitted of more serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering, the verdict still resulted in a sentence of just over four years in prison. The case continues to draw widespread public attention, with Sean Combs: The Reckoning adding another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding his legacy and legal battles.