Judge Dismisses Copyright Case Against Mariah Carey’s Christmas Hit
A Los Angeles federal judge has ruled in favor of Mariah Carey, concluding that her iconic holiday song, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” does not infringe on the copyright of an earlier song with the same title. The legal dispute, which sought $20 million in damages, attempted to establish that Carey’s hit, co-written with Walter Afanasieff, borrowed elements from a 1988 composition by songwriters Andy Stone (known as Vince Vance) and Troy Powers.
Court Ruling Details
Judge Mónica Ramírez Almadani found that the lawsuit, based on similarities identifiable only in isolation, failed to demonstrate substantial similarity within the context of both songs. While the plaintiffs argued that the two songs shared notable linguistic and thematic elements, the judge indicated that they did not meet their burden of proof.
Background on the Songs
- Stone and Powers released their song in 1989; it became popular on Billboard’s Hot Country chart in the mid-1990s.
- Mariah Carey’s version was launched in late 1994 and has since skyrocketed, solidifying its status as a seasonal favorite.
Key Arguments from the Lawsuit
The plaintiffs contended that the timing of their song’s success and Carey’s release indicated that the latter had access to their work. They claimed unique features of their song included its narrative of longing for love during the holiday season, contrasting material gifts.
The legal team for Stone and Powers maintained that the lyrical refrain “All I Want for Christmas Is You” present in both songs constituted a significant overlap, bolstered by claims that Carey’s song used more than half of their lyrics and chords.
Defense and Expert Testimony
In response, lawyers representing Carey and Afanasieff argued that the musical compositions were fundamentally different. They criticized the plaintiffs’ reliance on common holiday themes as inadequate bases for copyright infringement, stating that feelings of togetherness during Christmas are universal and not subject to copyright protection.
Both sides presented expert musicologists. However, Judge Ramírez Almadani ultimately sided with the experts supporting Carey, noting a lack of significant harmonic similarities and finding that both songs shared only a minimal number of common words related to the holiday theme.
Conclusion of the Case
This ruling not only dismisses the case but also places a financial burden on Stone and Powers, as the judge has ordered them to cover part of the legal fees incurred by Carey and Afanasieff. As a result of this decision, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” continues to shine as one of the longest-charting singles across all music genres, maintaining its presence on Billboard’s Hot 100 for an impressive 65 weeks over the years.
For further reading, explore the complexities of music copyright law and its implications for songwriters and artists.
