The singer is accused of violating copyright by publishing unreleased music with reference to the actress and an excerpt from a protected composition
Singer Lizzo, known for her irreverent style and powerful lyrics, is at the center of a new judicial dispute. The information is taken from the magazine Variety.
The artist was sued by a company based in Georgiaof which the accusation violation of copyright when using an excerpt from a protected composition in an unreleased piece. The case had repercussions later Lizzo publishes a short video on social media in which he sings part of the song, entitled I’m staying until October.
The crux of the dispute is the use of a sample of the song Win or lose (we tried)whose editorial property belongs to the company The GRC Fund. According to documents presented to the court of California (USA), Lizzo allegedly incorporated elements of the song without prior permission, which constitutes copyright infringement.
The original composition is attributed to the artist Sam Deeswith Jimmy Ginn indicated as the holder of the publication rights in the database of BMI.
In addition to the use of the sample, the extract released by Lizzo includes a direct reference to the actress Sydney Sweeneyprotagonist of the brand’s recent advertising campaigns American eagle. The line I got nice jeans like I’m Sydney was interpreted as a satire on the media backlash surrounding the actress and her association with the brand. Although the phrase has sparked comments on social media, the focus of the legal action remains the issue of unauthorized use of the original song.
The lawyers of GRC Trust affirm it Lizzo and his record label, Atlantic Records, profited from the release of the content, even though the music was not officially released or monetized. They say they attempted to resolve the impasse informally, but failed to reach an agreement that led to the opening of the trial. The company is seeking financial compensation, including profits made, damages and payment of legal fees.
Lizzo’s representatives expressed surprise at the lawsuit
In response, representatives of Lizzo they expressed surprise at the legal action and reiterated that the song was not sold. The defense claims that the extract published on social media does not constitute commercial exploitation and that there was no intention to violate copyright. However, the case remains ongoing and could have major implications for artists sharing unofficial content on digital platforms.
This is not the first lawsuit faced by Lizzo involving copyright. In 2019, the singer was accused of plagiarism in the song The truth hurtswhich topped the charts for weeks. At the time the dispute revolved around a phrase made popular by a tweet by the artist Mina Leonessawho was eventually credited as the song’s co-writer after a legal settlement.
The new trial reignites the debate on the limits of the use of samples and cultural references in contemporary music. With the growing presence of artists on social media and the common practice of posting excerpts of songs before their official release, legal issues like this tend to become more frequent.
The case of Lizzo can serve as an example to other musicians about the importance of securing usage rights before sharing any content publicly.
*use of artificial intelligence in research on the topic
Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
