Editor’s note: documentary “Challenge Taylor Swift” is considering a copyright lawsuit against the singer for her hit song “Shake it Off.” Her hour-long special, produced by the CNN FlashDocs unit, premieres on Friday, December 24 at 9 p.m. ET.
CNN
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Music is supposed to soothe ferocious beasts, but it can also anger some people.
Especially when it comes to copyright cases.
Throughout the history of the music industry, there have been incidents where artists have been accused of ripping off the work of others.
Taylor Swift has been embroiled in one such case since 2017 when songwriters Sean Hall and Nathan Butler sued her over her massive single “Shake It Off.” claimed that Swift’s hit contains similarities to her 2001 song “Play as Gon’ Play”, which she wrote for girl group 3LW.
suit He was reportedly fired on December 12th. At the request of attorneys for both sides, details of any settlement, if any, have not been made public.
Below are five other notable copyright cases.
In 2014, Lawsuit filed by estate of late musician Randy California To the surviving members of Led Zeppelin and their record label, regarding the iconic “Stairway to Heaven” song.
The copyright infringement lawsuit alleged that a Zeppelin song was used from the single “Taurus” by the 1960s band Spirit, of which California was the lead guitarist.
The band members have denied the allegations. The case has been making its way through the legal system for years.
Two years ago, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds Jury verdict finding ‘Stairway to Heaven’ not lifted from ‘Taurus’.
Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant said in 2021, “There are countless songs that have the same chord progression, so it was very disappointing and offensive to everyone.” Appearing on ‘Loose Ends’ on BBC Radio 4.
The legal battle hinged on claims that “Blurred Lines” was reminiscent of the late Marvin Gaye’s 1977 single “Got to Give It Up.”
Gay estates have accused Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams of copying the ‘feeling’ of their 2013 hit, Initially awarded over $7 million, However, that sentence was later reduced to $5.3 million and the two appealed.
gay family 2018 A final judgment of about $5 million was handed down Against Chic and Williams. Rapper TI, who also appeared on the song, was found not to be responsible.
The legendary soul singer was shot dead in 1984 by his father, Marvin Gaye Sr. (the “e” was added to the family name to create a gay stage name).
Rapper Vanilla Ice says the intro to his 1989 hit “Ice Ice Baby” is sufficiently different from David Bowie and Queen’s 1981 song “Under Pressure” that it could be copied. claimed not to.
“I sampled from them, but it’s not the same bassline,” says the rapper said during an interview.
Bowie and Queen’s lawyers didn’t buy it. The lawsuit was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount, plus Bowie and members of Queen were given songwriting credit.
Bowie Passed away at the age of 69 in 2016 After a battle with cancer.
Biz Markie was known as a rapper who infused humor into his music, but one case was no laughing matter.
Musician Gilbert O’Sullivan sued Biz Markie over the song “Alone Again” from the rapper’s 1991 album, “I Need a Haircut.”
O’Sullivan claimed that using a sample from O’Sullivan’s 1972 hit “Alone Again (Natural)” amounted to unauthorized use of his music.
Musicians won, so hip-hop artists had to clear the use of samples in their music.
Biz Markie still had fun naming his 1993 album “All Samples Cleared!”
he Died in 2021 at the age of 57 After years of health problems.
Ed Sheeran has had a solid career in recent years, including being repeatedly accused of plagiarism.
He was sued over his single “Photograph” in 2016 and eventually settled out of court.
Starting that same year, the British singer-songwriter received multiple allegations for his hit “Thinking Out Loud.”
but sheeran recently won A judge in London has ruled that 2017 hit “Shape of You” did not copy grime artist Sami Switch’s song “Oh Why,” as Switch claimed.