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Date: 28-mar-2025
Dua Lipa has emerged victorious in a closely watched copyright infringement lawsuit in New York that challenged her chart-topping hit “Levitating.” The lawsuit, filed by the songwriters of the 1979 disco track “Wiggle and Giggle All Night,” accused the British pop star of copying their melody.
But on March 27, 2025, U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla dismissed the case, ruling that the musical phrases cited were “too generic” to warrant copyright protection. [Source – The Times]
In her ruling, Judge Failla emphasized that the melody patterns at the heart of the dispute were commonly found in a wide range of music genres. She referenced historical compositions by Mozart and even modern works by the Bee Gees to illustrate that these elements were not unique to the plaintiffs’ song.
“The notes and sequences in question appear across centuries of musical tradition,” she wrote, noting that copyright law protects only original and distinctive expressions, not widely used progressions or phrasing.
The complaint was filed in 2022 by songwriters L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer, who claimed Dua Lipa’s 2020 hit “Levitating” bore “substantial similarities” to their disco-era track “Wiggle and Giggle All Night.” The case gained widespread attention as the song was one of the biggest global hits of 2021, spending over 70 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The plaintiffs argued that Dua Lipa’s team had “access” to their track and accused her of melodic copying, seeking damages and royalties. However, Lipa’s legal team maintained that the similarities were superficial and coincidental.
Following the dismissal, fans and fellow musicians applauded the ruling, calling it a win for artistic freedom and modern pop creativity. “This was always a reach,” one fan tweeted. “You can’t copyright vibes.”
Dua Lipa has not yet issued a personal statement but is reportedly relieved by the outcome. Her legal team expressed confidence in the decision, saying, “We’re pleased the court recognized that artists should not be punished for using musical elements that are foundational and widely shared.”
Despite the defeat, the plaintiffs have stated their intention to appeal the ruling to a higher court. They claim that the judge underestimated the originality of their melody and that Dua Lipa’s use of it goes beyond fair inspiration.
The case marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over musical copyrights and the fine line between influence and infringement. As more artists face lawsuits over perceived similarities in songs, the ruling in Dua Lipa’s favor may set a precedent for how courts interpret musical originality in an era of global pop music.
Date: 26-Mar-2025
Linkin Park collaborates with Fortnite Festival, introducing exclusive tracks including their new single "Up From The Bottom," enhancing the gaming and music experience.
Date: 29-Mar-2025
Global rapper Travis Scott will perform live in India for the first time on October 18, 2025, at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi, as part of his Circus Maximus World Tour.
04 Apr 2025
