Katy Perry Wins Copyright Infringement Case Over Claim by Christian Rapper
On March 10, 2022, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a ruling in favor of Katy Perry that overturned a $2.78 million judgment against the iconic pop star. The dispute stems from an 8-note pattern, known in the music world as an “ostinato,” that was featured in Perry’s 2013 hit “Dark Horse.” Christian rapper Marcus Gray, who goes by the stage name “Flame,” first sued Perry and Capitol Records in 2014 arguing that the 8-note melody was substantially similar to his song “Joyful Noise,” thereby infringing his copyright. Perry told a Los Angeles jury that she had never heard [...]