Recently in the media, there have been many problems with copyright infringement. There have been many issues, particularly in music. From Vanilla Ice and George Harrison to Coldplay and Avril Lavigne, it's clear that its getting more and more difficult to not make songs sound a lot like another one. Or maybe music artists these days are just lazy. Who knows? But there is a someone new getting introduced to the world of copyright infringement. You can always tell the first timers. "Bootylicious" Beyonce has now joined the growing list of people sued for copyright infringement.
What is the topic of this new lawsuit? Beyonce's song "Still in Love (Kissing You)" isn't Beyonce's song at all. The song was first co-written and sung by Des'ree in 1996. This song was called "I'm Kissing You" at that time and was used to the film "Romeo and Juliet" starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Personally, I think the song is way too laid back and calm for that Shakespearean swirling vortex of gunshots and explosions. But that's besides the point. What is the point, though, is just who is at fault here. Des'ree or Beyonce? Both similar sounding names, both have very similar sounding songs.
In fact, the songs are identical. This is because Beyonce did this song as a cover. One problem. Beyonce never even got permission to do the cover. This caused a lot of difficulties between agencies on both sides. Eventually Beyonce sent Des'ree a formal license request. Des'ree counter-proposed with three limitations. These were: no music video, United States distribution only and no changing the title. There was no reply and Beyonce ended up releasing the song on her "B-Day Deluxe Edition" CD on April 3rd, 2007. Obviously, Beyonce was in the wrong here. However, she wouldn't have gone through with this if she had known something that Des'ree didn't. She did, but Des'ree caught it just and time. "The day before the CD release, realizing that you need your work registered with Copyright Office before you can sue for copyright infringement, filed for an expedited copyright registration for the original song. Two weeks later, they filed a lawsuit against Beyonce. " [1] Let the cat fight begin!
What is the topic of this new lawsuit? Beyonce's song "Still in Love (Kissing You)" isn't Beyonce's song at all. The song was first co-written and sung by Des'ree in 1996. This song was called "I'm Kissing You" at that time and was used to the film "Romeo and Juliet" starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Personally, I think the song is way too laid back and calm for that Shakespearean swirling vortex of gunshots and explosions. But that's besides the point. What is the point, though, is just who is at fault here. Des'ree or Beyonce? Both similar sounding names, both have very similar sounding songs.
In fact, the songs are identical. This is because Beyonce did this song as a cover. One problem. Beyonce never even got permission to do the cover. This caused a lot of difficulties between agencies on both sides. Eventually Beyonce sent Des'ree a formal license request. Des'ree counter-proposed with three limitations. These were: no music video, United States distribution only and no changing the title. There was no reply and Beyonce ended up releasing the song on her "B-Day Deluxe Edition" CD on April 3rd, 2007. Obviously, Beyonce was in the wrong here. However, she wouldn't have gone through with this if she had known something that Des'ree didn't. She did, but Des'ree caught it just and time. "The day before the CD release, realizing that you need your work registered with Copyright Office before you can sue for copyright infringement, filed for an expedited copyright registration for the original song. Two weeks later, they filed a lawsuit against Beyonce. " [1] Let the cat fight begin!
Here's a video from Copyright Website!
The album is already out there, same with the music video and it's world wide. It is also under a new title. Uh oh. I can see why Des'ree is angry. I would be too. But it's too late because this case has been going on for 2 years and many people have the CD. Hopefully there will be some justice though. "The lawsuit seeks to stop distribution of the album and asks for damages in excess of 150-thousand dollars." [2] The 150, 000 would help, but Des'ree can't do much about the song and video being out there anymore. Beyonce is so guilty. Stuff like that should not happen. It's one thing to accidentally use something that sounds a lot alike another song in your own material, but when you do a cover and not get permission, that's just wrong. Let's hope Beyonce learns her lesson, and others will learn right along with her!
[1] Copyright Website. Beyonce and Des'ree.. 7 Mar. 2009
[2] Access Hollywood. Des’ree Files Lawsuit Against Beyonce. 1 May 2007. 7 Mar. 2009
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