Katy Perry’s ‘Dark Horse’ was copied from a Christian rap song, a California jury says
By Hollie Silverman From CNN
(CNN) Perry’s 2013 song “Dark Horse” was copied in part from “Joyful Noise,” a song by Christian rap artist Flame, a Los Angeles jury decided Monday, according court filings obtained by CNN.
The unanimous decision from a nine-person jury came after a week-long trial, during which Perry testified about the track’s creation.
She was not in the courtroom when the verdict was read, Variety reported.
Flame, whose real name is Marcus Gray, argued that “Dark Horse” infringed on his copyright by using an underlying beat from his song without permission, according to court filings.
Perry’s attorneys argued, in part, that the portion in question was too common and brief to be protected by copyright, Rolling Stone reported.
The penalty phase of the trial began Tuesday to determine damages owed by Perry and her co-writers.Co-writers named in the suit include Dr. Luke, whose real name is Lukasz Gottwald; producer Max Martin; producer Cirkut, whose real name is Henry Walter; songwriter Sarah Hudson; and rapper Juicy J who was featured on the track.CNN has contacted representatives for Perry and Dr. Luke for comment.
Flame argued that his song, which was released in 2008, was popular in the Christian community and was widely available on streaming applications, meaning Perry’s producers could have heard it before starting work on her song, according to his complaint.
Both Perry and Dr. Luke testified that they had not heard “Joyful Noise,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.
A motion from Perry’s lawyer, filed Thursday, asking the judge to rule that no reasonable jury could determine copyright infringement occurred based on evidence presented during the trial is still pending.
This story has been updated to reflect attribution to obtained court filings from the case.
For more on this story and video go to: https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/30/entertainment/katy-perry-dark-horse-verdict/index.html
UPDATED:
Katy Perry’s ‘Dark Horse’ Costs Diminished Profits, Jury Told
From Law 360
The cost to promote Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse” diminished any profits Capitol Records made from the hit single, a label executive told a California federal jury Wednesday in the damages portion of a copyright trial, while counsel for the rap artists suing Perry pointed out some of those costs included thousands of dollars for her hair styling.
FURTHER UPDATE:
BREAKING: Katy Perry, Others Hit With $2.7M ‘Dark Horse’ IP Verdict
Katy Perry, her songwriters and Capitol Records must pony up a combined $2.7 million as fair compensation for copying a musical phrase in a Christian rap song for their own hit single “Dark Horse,” a California federal jury ordered Thursday, three days after returning an infringement verdict.
