Groundbreaking hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa ’s further pursuit of the copyrights to its first four albums continues to receive vigorous pushback from Universal Music Group , with the company filing a new brief as the case winds its way through an appeals court. Last May, Salt-N-Pepa filed suit against the dominant record company over its rejection of a 2022 copyright notice from the group, who were seeking to reclaim ownership of their enormously successful early albums – “Hot, Cool & Vicious,” “A Salt With a Deadly Pepa,” “Blacks’ Magic” and “Very Necessary.” Citing contracts signed in 1986, Universal argued that the albums were “works-for-hire” and thus ineligible for reclamation under the Copyright Act of 1976, which provides artists an avenue to take back ownership of their work after 35 years. UMG’s argument was successful, resulting in the case’s dismissal in January.  Popular on Variety Salt-N-Pepa appealed that decision, with the suit now sitting in front of the U.S.…