Singer Selena Gomez sued for plagiarism
By Pankaj Ladhar of Manos • Alwine P.L.
A lawsuit against popular singer Selena Gomez (also widely known as Justin Bieber’s girlfriend) accuses her of plagiarism in connection with a chorus in her 2010 recorded song “A Year Without Rain.” The song is being used in an ad campaign planned for this month to promote a new Macys perfume fragrance.
The lawsuit was filed by a relatively unknown musical group called Luce, which contends that a chorus in her hit song was drawn from one they first used in “Buy A Dog,” a 2005 single they released. They claim that the two choruses are almost identical. Approximately $1 million is reported to be at stake in the action. “A Year Without Rain” was released as the title track on Selena Gomez’s second album. She regularly records with her own band, known as Selena Gomez & the Scene.
Plagiarism lawsuits against songwriters and musicians occur from time to time in the recording industry. In one memorable instance, John Fogerty (currently a solo artist, but renowned for his role as lead singer for the fabled Credence Clearwater Revival group) actually performed the song that he was accused of plagiarizing for the benefit of the jury. The case was subsequently dismissed.
Earlier this year, rock band Paramore was accused by another rock group of plagiarism in connection with their 2010 recording of “The Only Exception.” In March, the copyright infringement claim was dropped when the accusers backed off.
The Black Eyed Peas in 2010 faced two entirely separate accusations of plagiarism involving the songs “Boom Boom Pow,” and “I Gotta Feeling.” The latter recording was a huge hit for the group in 2009.
Source: The Examiner, “Selena Gomez to follow John Fogerty in getting plagiarism lawsuit dropped?” Radell Smith, April 30, 2012