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Title: Sam Smith Copyright Lawsuit Over ‘Dancing With a Stranger’ Revived by Appeals Court
A copyright lawsuit involving British singer-songwriter Sam Smith has been revived by an appeals court. The ruling means that the case will now be sent back to the lower court for further litigation, including the possibility of a jury trial.
The original lawsuit was filed in 2020 against Smith and his record label, Capitol Records, alleging that the song “Dancing With a Stranger” (feat. Jessie Ware) infringes on copyright claims made by an unnamed songwriter. The initial dismissal was upheld by a federal judge in Los Angeles last year.
However, the appeals court has now reversed this decision, ruling that the matter should be re-examined and submitted to a jury for consideration. According to sources close to the case, the song’s melody and composition have been at the center of the dispute from the outset.
The lawsuit’s reinstatement comes as a significant blow to Smith, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the matter. In a statement issued following the initial dismissal, his team argued that the allegations were “without merit” and that the song was “completely original.”
It is unclear at this stage whether Smith will appeal further or proceed with defending the case in court. As the situation unfolds, Billboard will continue to provide updates on any developments.
In related news, the music industry has been grappling with the issue of copyright infringement over the past few years, particularly within the realm of electronic and dance music. The recent revival of this lawsuit serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ensuring originality in one’s work and respecting the intellectual property rights of others.
Please note that Billboard is not privy to the specific details of the case and has been relying on publicly available information for this report.
Source: https://www.billboard.com/pro/sam-smith-dancing-stranger-lawsuit-revived-appeals-court/
