A federal judge dismisses copyright infringement lawsuit against Sam Smith and Normani
In a significant ruling, Judge Wesley L. Hsu has officially dismissed with prejudice the copyright infringement lawsuit that was filed against Sam Smith, Normani, and other parties involved in the creation of the hit song “Dancing with a Stranger.”
Lawsuit Dismissed on the Merits
The lawsuit, brought forward by Sound and Color in March 2022, alleged that Sam Smith and Normani had copied elements from a 2015 track that was uploaded to YouTube. However, after careful consideration and legal proceedings, Judge Hsu has now dismissed the case on its merits, effectively putting an end to the legal battle.
Legal Victory for Sam Smith and Normani
This ruling comes as a significant victory for Sam Smith, Normani, and their legal team, who had vigorously defended themselves against the allegations. By having the lawsuit dismissed with prejudice, they have successfully proven that there was no copyright infringement involved in the creation of “Dancing with a Stranger.”
The Impact of the Ruling
The dismissal of this lawsuit sets an important precedent in the music industry, reaffirming the importance of originality and protecting artists from baseless copyright claims. It serves as a reminder that artists should be able to create and collaborate freely without the fear of legal repercussions.
Moving Forward
With this legal victory behind them, Sam Smith, Normani, and their fans can now focus on celebrating the success of “Dancing with a Stranger” and look forward to future creative endeavors. The ruling not only clears their names but also reinforces the integrity of their work.
The Lawsuit Over “Dancing With Strangers”
In a recent legal battle, singer-songwriter Jordan Vincent has filed a lawsuit against the popular duo, Sam Smith and Normani, claiming that their hit song “Dancing With a Stranger” bears striking similarities to a track he wrote with Christopher Miranda back in 2015.
The Origins of “Dancing With Strangers”
Vincent initially wrote “Dancing With Strangers” in early 2015 and began shopping it around the music industry, hoping to find a home for his creation. He even created a music video to accompany the track. In 2016, he uploaded the song to SoundCloud and later released it on other platforms in 2017.
The Alleged Similarities
The lawsuit argues that there are significant similarities between Vincent’s “Dancing With Strangers” and Sam Smith and Normani’s “Dancing With a Stranger.” The plaintiff points to shared elements in the lyrics, music videos, and overall composition of the songs.
One of the most crucial points of contention is the hook/chorus, which features the lyrics “dancing with a stranger” sung over a nearly identical melody and musical composition. According to the complaint, both songs rely heavily on this repeated phrase, giving them their distinct identities.
The Case Unfolds
The lawsuit delves into the alleged ways in which the defendants could have had access to and drawn inspiration from Vincent’s work. It explores the possibility of the defendants having listened to “Dancing With Strangers” and incorporated its elements into their own song.
While the case is still ongoing, it raises important questions about the boundaries of artistic inspiration and the potential for unintentional similarities in the music industry.
The Impact of the Lawsuit
This legal battle has garnered significant attention, with fans and industry insiders closely following the developments. It serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding intellectual property and the challenges faced by artists in protecting their creative works.
As the case continues, it remains to be seen how the court will rule and what implications it may have for future disputes over alleged musical similarities.
Regardless of the outcome, “Dancing With Strangers” has undoubtedly sparked a conversation about the creative process and the importance of giving credit where it is due.
Dismissal of Sound and Color Lawsuit
In a recent development, the lawsuit against Sound and Color has been dismissed by Judge Hsu. This dismissal comes after Sam Smith, the defendant, raised several concerns regarding the alleged infringement claims. Let’s take a closer look at the details of this case.
Challenging the Claims
As part of the dismissal motion, Sam Smith pointed out various issues related to the infringement claims. One of the main concerns was the alleged overlap between direct and secondary infringement claims. Smith also questioned the timing of when the plaintiff’s work was copyrighted and the lack of evidence supporting the infringement of the recording itself.
Judge Hsu’s Decision
Now, let’s dive into Judge Hsu’s decision. He dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning that Sound and Color will not receive any compensation. However, the judge decided against awarding legal fees to the defense.
In his brief dismissal order, Judge Hsu stated, “Defendants shall not recover costs because they did not specify their costs request in their Motion for Summary Judgment papers.”
Recent Copyright Settlements
It’s worth noting that this dismissal follows a series of copyright battles that have recently been resolved. Last month, Freeplay Music and CNN settled their own infringement dispute. Future also emerged victorious in a highly publicized copyright case involving the song “What I Think About It.” Additionally, Sony Music and Triller reached a resolution in their copyright confrontation, while Twitter/X moved to dismiss a massive suit submitted by the National Music Publishers’ Association.
These recent settlements highlight the ongoing efforts to address copyright issues within the music industry.
