Sanicki Lawyers Melbourne

  • Home
  • Services
    • Commercial Lawyers Melbourne
    • Music & Entertainment
    • Property Lawyers Melbourne
    • Trade Marks & Intellectual Property
    • Defamation Lawyers
    • Copyright and Licensing
    • Wills & Estates
    • Franchising Lawyer Melbourne
    • Litigation & Dispute Resolution
    • New Technology & Start Ups
    • Fashion & Design
    • Trade Promotions
  • Clients
    • Music & Entertainment
    • Commercial
  • About
  • Careers
    • Work With Us
    • Intern With Us
  • Contact us
+61 3 9510 9888
Katy Perry loses “Dark Horse” copyright lawsuit
August 23, 2019
  |  
Miriana Dugosija

A recent jury decision handed down in California held that the writers of ‘Dark Horse‘, Perry’s hit song, copied a part of ‘Joyful Noise‘, a song by Christian rapper, Flame.

The track from Perry’s fourth studio album ‘Prism’ remained at the top of the charts for four weeks in 2013.

Flame was awarded almost $2.8 million in damages in what has been criticised as setting a dangerous precedent. Musicians are worried about the wider implications in the industry, claiming that the copied part of the song is merely a small melodic fragment which is too commonly used to be copyrightable.

There is concern about the chilling effect such decisions will have in the industry, with the risk of a lawsuit potentially deterring artists from creating music and pursuing other artistic endeavours. The decision follows the 2015 “Blurred Lines” case and recent disputes involving Lana Del Rey (who was sued by Radiohead) and Ed Sheeran.

“They’re trying to own basic building blocks of music, the alphabet of music that should be available to everyone,” Perry’s lawyer, Christine Lepera, argued during the case.

Perry’s lawyers have said they will appeal the verdict.

Thank you to intern Jess Flatters for this article.

Need copyright advice? Contact Sanicki Lawyers on 03 9510 9888 or hello@sanickilawyers.com.au.

Back to news
 
  • Melbourne
    Level 2, 240 Chapel Street
    Prahran, VIC 3181
    Phone +61 3 9510 9888
  • Brisbane
    139 Gotha Street
    Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006
    Phone +61 7 3333 1844
  • General Enquiries
    hello@sanickilawyers.com.au
    Fax +61 3 9510 9888
Sanicki Lawyers Melbourne

Services

  • Commercial Lawyers Melbourne
  • Wills & Estates
  • Music & Entertainment
  • Franchising Lawyer Melbourne
  • Property Lawyers Melbourne
  • Litigation & Dispute Resolution
  • Trade Promotions
  • New Technology & Start Ups
  • Defamation Lawyers
  • Fashion & Design
  • Copyright and Licensing
  • Trade Marks & Intellectual Property

Info

  • About Us
  • Clients
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Blog

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin

© Copyright 2020. Website & SEO Melbourne & Digital Marketing Melbourne by ZIB Digital | All Rights Reserved.