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Dua Lipa Wins Copyright Case Over Hit Song 'Levitating'

A New York court dismissed claims that the song copied melodies from 1970s disco tracks, ruling the elements were unprotectable under copyright law.

  • U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla ruled that the alleged similarities between 'Levitating' and the 1979 song 'Wiggle and Giggle All Night' involved generic musical elements not protected by copyright.
  • The court cited prior rulings, including Ed Sheeran's 2023 victory, to emphasize that basic musical building blocks like scales and rhythms cannot be monopolized.
  • The plaintiffs, L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer, claimed 'Levitating' copied the 'signature melody' of their songs but failed to demonstrate substantial similarity.
  • Judge Failla noted that the melodies in question had been used in works by Mozart, Rossini, and the Bee Gees, further supporting their unprotectability.
  • The plaintiffs plan to appeal the decision, arguing that copyright cases should consider audience perception rather than technical musical analysis.
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