Judge's ruling highlights commonalities in musical elements across genres
Dua Lipa's Levitating Copyright Case Dismissed by Judge
Dua Lipa's Levitating Copyright Case Dismissed by Judge
Singer triumphs in lawsuit alleging plagiarism from retro tracks
Dua Lipa has emerged victorious in a copyright lawsuit concerning her chart-topping single "Levitating." The case, filed in 2022 by songwriters L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer, alleged that Lipa's hit lifted elements from their songs "Wiggle and Giggle All Night" (1979) and "Don Diablo" (1980). However, US Judge Katherine Polk Failla dismissed the claims, stating that the songs share only generic similarities, including musical attributes already used by renowned composers such as Mozart and groups like the Bee Gees.
This ruling represents the second time Lipa has successfully defended her song against plagiarism allegations. In 2023, the Florida reggae band Artikal Sound System dropped their similar lawsuit, which claimed that Lipa appropriated the chorus from their 2015 track "Live Your Life." The judge concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove Lipa had access to their song, a crucial element in copyright disputes.
Yet, Lipa is not entirely in the clear. In 2023, she faces a new legal challenge from Bosko Kante, a featured artist on "Levitating." Kante alleges that his vocal contributions were utilized in remixes of the song without proper authorization, seeking damages amounting to at least $2 million and profits from remixes estimated at $20 million.
The original lawsuit by Brown and Linzer centered on the opening melody of "Levitating," where Lipa sings, "If you wanna run away with me, I know a galaxy and I can take you for a ride." However, Judge Failla determined that the elements in question were too commonplace for legal protection, emphasizing that restricting such musical styles would hinder the evolution of the music genre.
Interestingly, this ruling coincided with the fifth anniversary of "Levitating," which was released as an album cut on Lipa's acclaimed album "Future Nostalgia." Following the decision, Brown and Linzer expressed their intent to appeal, maintaining their disagreement with the court's findings. The BBC has reached out to Lipa for comments on the ruling.
This ruling represents the second time Lipa has successfully defended her song against plagiarism allegations. In 2023, the Florida reggae band Artikal Sound System dropped their similar lawsuit, which claimed that Lipa appropriated the chorus from their 2015 track "Live Your Life." The judge concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove Lipa had access to their song, a crucial element in copyright disputes.
Yet, Lipa is not entirely in the clear. In 2023, she faces a new legal challenge from Bosko Kante, a featured artist on "Levitating." Kante alleges that his vocal contributions were utilized in remixes of the song without proper authorization, seeking damages amounting to at least $2 million and profits from remixes estimated at $20 million.
The original lawsuit by Brown and Linzer centered on the opening melody of "Levitating," where Lipa sings, "If you wanna run away with me, I know a galaxy and I can take you for a ride." However, Judge Failla determined that the elements in question were too commonplace for legal protection, emphasizing that restricting such musical styles would hinder the evolution of the music genre.
Interestingly, this ruling coincided with the fifth anniversary of "Levitating," which was released as an album cut on Lipa's acclaimed album "Future Nostalgia." Following the decision, Brown and Linzer expressed their intent to appeal, maintaining their disagreement with the court's findings. The BBC has reached out to Lipa for comments on the ruling.
