Dua Lipa wins copyright case over Levitating and 1970s track
- A New York judge ruled that Dua Lipa's song Levitating does not infringe on the copyright of a 1979 disco track.
- The judge referenced Ed Sheeran's successful claim that basic musical elements are not copyrightable.
- The ruling could influence future copyright cases in the music industry.
In 2025, a New York court ruled in favor of British pop singer Dua Lipa in a lawsuit claiming her hit song Levitating plagiarized melodies from the 1979 disco track Wiggle and Giggle All Night. The lawsuit was initiated by songwriters L Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer, who alleged that Lipa reused their 'signature melody' throughout a significant portion of her song. The judge, Katherine Polk Failla, determined that the melodies in question were too common and not sufficiently original to warrant copyright protection, referencing similar musical elements used by respected composers such as Mozart and Rossini, and iconic bands like the Bee Gees. The ruling highlighted the legal precedent set by Ed Sheeran's recent victory in a similar case involving his song Thinking Out Loud, which established that basic musical components like scales and rhythms are generally non-copyrightable. Despite the ruling, Brown and Linzer, disappointed by the court's decision, announced intentions to appeal, emphasizing that they believe original compositions should not be disregarded in favor of generic melodies. This outcome not only reinforces the idea that musical influences across genres can be permissible, but also serves as a significant moment for artists facing similar copyright allegations, illustrating the ongoing struggle within the music industry regarding originality versus inspiration.