A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit accusing Mariah Carey of copyright infringement over her hit song, "All I Want for Christmas Is You." The lawsuit, filed by two songwriters, sought $20 million in damages, claiming Carey's song copied their earlier composition of the same name.
The plaintiffs argued that Carey's song shared similarities in melody, lyrics, and structure with their earlier work. However, the judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence to support the claim of copyright infringement. The court found that any similarities between the songs were either commonplace or not substantial enough to warrant a finding of infringement.
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" was released in 1994 and has become one of the most popular and enduring Christmas songs of all time. It has topped music charts globally and generated millions of dollars in royalties. The dismissal of this lawsuit allows Carey to maintain full ownership and control of her signature holiday hit. The ruling is a victory for Carey and her legal team, and it reinforces the importance of demonstrating clear and substantial similarity when pursuing copyright infringement claims.
Judge Dismisses Copyright Claim Against Mariah Carey's Christmas Hit
A judge has dismissed a $20 million lawsuit against Mariah Carey, resolving a copyright dispute over her iconic holiday song, "All I Want for Christmas Is You." Two songwriters alleged Carey's song infringed on their earlier work with the same title. The court found no evidence of copyright infringement, allowing Carey to retain ownership of her beloved Christmas classic. This decision brings an end to the legal battle and ensures the song will continue to be enjoyed for years to come.