The search for the third 'American Idol' judge is still on.

Despite recently reporting that songwriter and producer Dr. Luke would be joining the show as a judge for Season 13, it has been confirmed that he will not be joining next season due to a conflict of interest.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sony Music signed Dr. Luke to a profitable label deal in 2011. This causes issues because Universal Music Group, Sony's competition, holds the rights to 'American Idol' recordings.

"Allowing Luke to spend months of the year judging and nurturing talent then developing said artists for another label makes little business sense for the company that invested so deeply in his own hit-making power," THR wrote. 

An insider told THR that Luke realized being a 'Idol' judge would ultimately be too time consuming and too much of a commitment, when Kemosabe Records (owned by Sony) has priorities for up-and-coming artists such as Becky G.

The source also told THR that Sony Music CEO Doug Morris came to a mutual agreement with Dr. Luke that backing out as a judge "was the best thing for all parties."

Dr. Luke is responsible for hit pop songs such as Ke$ha's 'Tik Tok,' 'Idol' winner Kelly Clarkson's 'Since U Been Gone,' Katy Perry's 'California Gurls' and Flo Rida's 'Right Round.'

Fox chose not to comment on the situation.

With Dr. Luke out, the choice for the third judge, who will join Jennifer Lopez and Keith Urban, remains in the air. Last week, Lopez suggested Scooter Braun for the position. Braun is famous for managing pop sensations like Psy, Justin Bieber, The Wanted and Ariana Grande.

Season 13 of 'American Idol' premieres in early 2014.

Who should replace Dr. Luke as the third judge? Let us know in the comments section.