Taylor Swift Is Being Sued and Judge Aileen Cannon

pop megastar Taylor Swiftcontinues to outperform him for over a year and a half now Eras TourHe was accused of copyright infringement in a case involving Judge in South Florida Aileen Ball presides over the case.

It’s not uncommon for musicians to face lawsuits accusing them of plagiarizing other people’s works, and Swift, one of the world’s best-selling artists, has dealt with accusations herself many times.

Kimberly Marasco, the plaintiff in the current lawsuit, accused Swift of not giving her due consideration when it comes to lyrics and creative expression.

Swift’s legal team denied the allegations and attempted to have the case dismissed.

In April, Marasco, of Fort Pierce, Florida, filed a lawsuit against Taylor Swift Productions Inc. The case was moved from small claims court in May to the Southern District of Florida, a federal court to which Cannon is assigned. Marasco represents himself in court; This situation is known as: well.

In the original small claims court filing, Marasco requested $100 in damages and author attribution credit. Marasco’s second amended complaint, filed in October, seeks more than $7 million in damages.

The lawsuit alleges that Swift’s songs and music videos contain “creative elements” that copy Marasco’s work without permission or attribution.

In his complaint, Marasco cites several songs and videos from Swift’s albums Dear, Folklore, MidnightAnd Chamber of Tortured PoetsHe claims that they “infringed Plaintiff’s copyright” by adding texts from his poems. He lists more than a dozen songs that allegedly “contain unique expressions” in his poetry. Fallen from Grace And Coping with Chronic Illness: Vestibular Neuritis.

His complaint also states that the choreography is “strikingly similar”; “including a dance routine I choreographed using chairs.”

news week He reached out to Marasco and Swift’s attorney and publicist via email Wednesday evening for comment.

Swift’s legal team filed two motions to dismiss the complaint, according to court documents reviewed. Newsweek.

The first motion was filed in late May, and his lawyers claimed the case was “legally and factually without foundation.” Swift’s attorneys also argued that “any amendment to the Complaint would be futile” and asked the judge to deny their request to amend the complaints. Swift’s lawyers also tried to make it so Marasco could not reopen the case if it was dismissed.

In September, Swift’s attorneys filed a second motion to dismiss, arguing that the plaintiff’s amended complaint “does not state a claim.” To establish a claim, Marasco would have to “plausibly allege” that Swift copied protectable elements, but his complaint fails to do so, his lawyers said.

According to Swift’s lawyers, Marasco confuses “expression” with metaphors, themes or ideas, single words or short lines.

“Even if these elements were protected speech (they are not), Plaintiff nevertheless failed to plausibly defend unlawful copying for each of the thirteen alleged infringements – both access and failure to demonstrate any level of significant or striking similarity between the works -,” Swift ‘s lawyers wrote.

The defendant’s motion to dismiss was denied by Cannon, who was appointed to the District Court in 2020 by the former President. Donald TrumpOn September 19.

Cannon became a household name after he was assigned to the classified documents case, which Trump dismissed earlier this year.

Earlier this week, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida issued two subpoenas related to Marasco’s amended complaint, according to court documents.

Swift has been the subject of many other copyright infringement lawsuits, including: Hall/SwiftIt involved copyright concerns regarding the lyrics of the chorus of Swift’s hit song “Shake It Off.” The court decision stated that the dispute, which had been going on for five years, was dismissed “in accordance with the condition of the parties” before the hearing. news weekstated. Chief Justice Michael Fitzgerald dismissed the case “in its entirety and with prejudice,” meaning the case could not be brought back to court.

Another case La Dart – Swift, The lawsuit, filed in 2022, alleged that Swift’s book “Lover” “contains a number of creative elements that replicate the expressionist designs and arrangements” of plaintiff Teresa La Dart. The case was voluntarily dropped by La Dart.

The lawsuit from Marasco was filed before Swift publicly endorsed the Vice President Kamala Harris In the White House bid. Following the presidential debate between Harris and Trump in September, she announced her support for the Democratic candidate. Republican applicant.

Days after her confirmation, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!”

Swift has repeatedly encouraged her massive fan base to register to vote. Endorses Democratic candidate in 2020 Joe Biden Running for president after not supporting Trump or former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton In 2016.

Cannon is reportedly a potential candidate for attorney general if Trump is elected to the White House. ABC News.

Updated 10/25/24, 6:45 PM ET: This article includes Hall v. Updated to clarify dismissal of Swift case.