Judge Sanctions Plaintiffs in Mariah Carey Holiday Hit Case, Awards Her $92,303

Overview

• Mariah Carey secured a fee award of US$92,303.20 after a federal judge found the 2023 plagiarism lawsuit over All I Want for Christmas Is You lacked factual basis.
• The court dismissed the infringement claim in March 2025 for insufficient evidence of copyright violation.
• New sanctions total about US$109,900, with payments also ordered to Sony Music, Kobalt Publishing, and producer Walter Afanasieff for unnecessary legal costs.
• The judge criticized ethical lapses by attorneys Gerard Fox and Douglas M. Schmidt, including failing to properly account for coauthor Troy Powers in filings.
• The lawyers were given until early January, with reports citing January 5, to explain their conduct or face potential disciplinary action and further penalties.