In a recent ruling, Dua Lipa celebrated a significant victory in her ongoing copyright saga regarding her chart-topping single "Levitating." A U.S. judge dismissed a lawsuit claiming that Lipa copied elements from two songs dating back to the late 1970s and early 1980s. This legal challenge was launched by songwriters L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer, who insisted that the melody of "Levitating" bore striking similarity to their works, "Wiggle and Giggle All Night" and "Don Diablo."
Dua Lipa Triumphs in Copyright Lawsuit Over 'Levitating'
Dua Lipa Triumphs in Copyright Lawsuit Over 'Levitating'
Dua Lipa, currently on her Radical Optimism tour, prevails in a legal battle concerning her hit song "Levitating."
Judge Katherine Polk Failla ruled that the similarities were too generic to be eligible for copyright protection, noting that common musical traits in the disco genre have been employed by various artists over the years, including Mozart and the Bee Gees. This ruling marks the second time Lipa has successfully defended herself against plagiarism allegations related to "Levitating," which has proven to be a major hit since its release in 2020.
Previously, she faced a lawsuit from the Florida reggae band, Artikal Sound System, who claimed the chorus of "Levitating" was based on their 2015 song "Live Your Life." However, that case was dismissed when it was found that there was no evidence to suggest Lipa had access to the earlier track. Despite these successes, Lipa still confronts a separate legal challenge from musician Bosko Kante, who claims his contributions to "Levitating" were used without permission in remixes, seeking damages of up to $20 million.
In the recent case, Brown and Linzer alleged that Lipa appropriated the opening melody of "Levitating." However, Judge Failla emphasized that the elements cited in the case were so ubiquitous that granting them copyright protection would stifle musical creativity within the genre. This ruling coincidentally arrived on the fifth anniversary of the initial release of "Levitating" as part of Lipa's acclaimed album, "Future Nostalgia." Following the ruling, Brown and Linzer expressed their disagreement and intent to appeal the decision, while Lipa has yet to publicly comment on the outcome of the case.
Previously, she faced a lawsuit from the Florida reggae band, Artikal Sound System, who claimed the chorus of "Levitating" was based on their 2015 song "Live Your Life." However, that case was dismissed when it was found that there was no evidence to suggest Lipa had access to the earlier track. Despite these successes, Lipa still confronts a separate legal challenge from musician Bosko Kante, who claims his contributions to "Levitating" were used without permission in remixes, seeking damages of up to $20 million.
In the recent case, Brown and Linzer alleged that Lipa appropriated the opening melody of "Levitating." However, Judge Failla emphasized that the elements cited in the case were so ubiquitous that granting them copyright protection would stifle musical creativity within the genre. This ruling coincidentally arrived on the fifth anniversary of the initial release of "Levitating" as part of Lipa's acclaimed album, "Future Nostalgia." Following the ruling, Brown and Linzer expressed their disagreement and intent to appeal the decision, while Lipa has yet to publicly comment on the outcome of the case.
