Dua Lipa "Levitating" infringement lawsuit

[Nuage420]

I'm sure they did. Chords, rhythm, and the chorus melody are pretty much the same. Scouring the Internet for grooves is basically what producers do nowadays.

Check out the Soundcloud version (linked above), it's more comprehensive than other versions posted in this thread and in the media.

That doesn't necessarily mean Artikal would win a lawsuit; e.g. they could have a solid case but sucky attorneys. But yeah, I'm sure that one of the producers heard the Artikal track at some point.

Well damn... I see your point.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Ever check out Captain Chords? You pick out the chord progressions and voicings you want; set the rhythm; and you're done.

That said, it seems pretty clear that chord progressions don't matter much when writing a song now, which is why so new songs basically reuse the same handful of progressions over and over. Producers focus mostly on rhythm, sound design, timbre, and tweaking Autotune....

Like Reggae Riddims or the Blues.
Same chord changes used for different songs with different melodies, lyrics.

 

[smtp4me]

Yup.

Again, massive numbers of songs are written every year. Even if we were looking exclusively at songs that reach the Billboard 100, only a small fraction get sued for copyright infringement.



Sigh

Common chord progressions on their own are very difficult to claim copyright. When you combine chord progressions, rhythms, and melodies, you might have a lawsuit on your hands.

If you listen to both tracks and don't realize how close the Lipa version is to the Artikal version, then yeah, we're not going to agree... Here's the version uploaded to Soundcloud 4 years ago:

I get your point. I'm simply highlighting that it would be rather easy to build a defense, and present evidence in a manner that even a non-musician can comprehend. A chord progression cannot be copyrighted. I think we agree on that. I would also include time signatures and specific rhythms in that category.

Granted, a songwriter can use any notes they want, even those outside the key signature or chord. But still... generally speaking, we have 12 notes total to choose from. Once we pick a key, we have 7. When we play a chord, we typically have 2, 3, or 4. I'm sure with some effort, it is possible to calculate the statistical probability that the same chords, same notes (melody), and same rhythm are very likely to be combined and repeated at some point.

If it is that easy, then perhaps Rihanna can potentially sue Artikal for stealing the title of the song "Live Your Life", from hers with the same title, released in 2008. Sorry, this is a money grab, disguised as a civil suit with a jury, hoping for a settlement.

 

[friskinator]

I know a common tactic is to take a sample or other piece from an existing song, work it into a new song, then hope you don’t get sued. In the meantime, you might have a hit on your hands. And if someone notices and you get sued, you as the writer just throws the original artist a credit. Maybe not the best way to do business, but it happens.

 

[Wood and Wire]

A single “songwriter” without much particular inspiration can’t be nearly as productive in a short time as 3 or more of them working together. I know some people in Los Angeles that make a (admittedly relatively meager by past standards) living off this stuff. I honestly suspect AI technology will be a big (and likely uncredited) part of pop music in the future just because of the economics of things.

Well yeah, but it used to be that the mediocre song writers didn't get hired (now they seem to have unionised, to pool their talents), and people like Carol King, and Holland-Dozier-Holland wrote everything.

 

[sunbeast]

Well yeah, but it used to be that the mediocre song writers didn't get hired (now they seem to have unionised, to pool their talents), and people like Carol King, and Holland-Dozier-Holland wrote everything.

And that brings it around to my original point- that there just isn’t that same money in pop music (or music in general) to sustain the music education and/or time investment behind a lot of music of the past. Less money available per song means focusing on quantity over quality, which has lowered the bar for the craft of music-creation for actual full-time professional musicians. Even many of the rates for music licensed for commercials and other media have dropped significantly in recent years, as have relative studio-musician rates while the costs of releasing physical music and touring have blown up.

 

[Wood and Wire]

And that brings it around to my original point- that there just isn’t that same money in pop music (or music in general) to sustain the music education and/or time investment behind a lot of music of the past. Less money available per song means focusing on quantity over quality, which has lowered the bar for the craft of music-creation for actual full-time professional musicians. Even many of the rates for music licensed for commercials and other media have dropped significantly in recent years, as have relative studio-musician rates while the costs of releasing physical music and touring have blown up.

Believe me, I'm feeling the pinch.

 

[Nuage420]

and here it is hahaha

That reggae band is about to get paid

 

[JKos]

Oh my. Playing them overlaid is rather... damning.

 

[friskinator]

Exactly.

Turns out 2 members of INXS are credited on the song you’re referring to. I didn’t know that.

 

[Nuage420]

This is one of only a few pop songs that I will Crank! when it comes on the radio.

others:

Genie in a Bottle (Aguilera)

No Tears Left to Cry (Ariana)

I listen to a ton of hip hop and rap and it's rare that I hear a beat that I can't immediately tell you the original artist.

 

[Nuage420]

IMO. Dua contacts them and apologizes. Which ever team member put her down that path needs to be an adult and own up to it and also apologize to the reggae band and Dua for what they did.

Because that's how adulting works. You do the wrong thing and get caught you accept the consequences of your actions.

 

[DJ Bebop]

You see that's the problem with these 3 chord tunes - everything basically sounds the same. I'm amazed there aren't more lawsuits on the table honestly.

Lyrics and Melody

 

[bass12]

IMO. Dua contacts them and apologizes. Which ever team member put her down that path needs to be an adult and own up to it and also apologize to the reggae band and Dua for what they did.

Because that's how adulting works. You do the wrong thing and get caught you accept the consequences of your actions.

Dua might just have found the opening act for her next tour.

 

[Nuage420]

Dua might just have found the opening act for her next tour.

Dude yes! Promote PEACE! I don't think Dua heard this. I'll bet a team member tried to pull a fast one. Who cares??? Great music was the result and yes they can open and everyone can move on with their lives.

 

[E2942]

Because that's how adulting works.

It's the Music BUSINESS now, they need to pay as the form of apology.

 

[Nuage420]

It's the Music BUSINESS now, they need to pay as the form of apology.

For sure, they need a cut. But I hope to see a friendly resolve. poopie happens, you can figure out how and agree on a resolution AND BE FRIENDLY ABOUT IT. Media will try to make everything a shag you no shag you pay me story for ratings. I believe transparency and amicable communication is a better way.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Yup.

Again, massive numbers of songs are written every year. Even if we were looking exclusively at songs that reach the Billboard 100, only a small fraction get sued for copyright infringement.



Sigh

Common chord progressions on their own are very difficult to claim copyright. When you combine chord progressions, rhythms, and melodies, you might have a lawsuit on your hands.

If you listen to both tracks and don't realize how close the Lipa version is to the Artikal version, then yeah, we're not going to agree... If you missed the previous post with this in it, here's the version uploaded to Soundcloud 4 years ago:

Yup
Dua Lipa "Levitating" infringement lawsuit

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Love Dua and this song, but wow, these 2 tunes are very, very similar. I'm predicting a settlement and/or a potential writing credit on this one.

Dua Lipa Sued for Allegedly Ripping Off 'Levitating' from Reggae Band

Do you have a link to a page with more ads? I felt there weren't enough ads.

 

[E2942]

it's rare that I hear a beat that I can't immediately tell you the original artist.

Put on Danzig's "The Hunter" from his debut & without using the internet, tell us the original artist.