Katy Perry Gets $2.8 Million Copyright Judgment Tossed Out

BY Erika Marie 861 Views
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Katy Perry Copyright
Katy Perry was ordered to pay a rapper $2.8 million for copyright infringement, but a judge has overturned the ruling.

It's been good news all around for Katy Perry lately, Not only has the 13x Grammy-nominated singer recently announced that she's expecting her first child with fiancé Orlando Bloom, but she just scored a legal victory. Last summer, Christian rapper Flame, real name Marcus Gray, sued Perry and her collaborators. He accused them of stealing parts of his beat from his single "Joyful Noise" in order to make her smash hit track "Dark Horse" featuring Juicy J. A jury agreed and ordered Perry, Capitol Records, and the "Dark Horse" production team to pay a $2.8 million judgment.

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Perry's legal team immediately filed an appeal and wanted the copyright infringement judgment overturned, and it looks like they took home a win. On Tuesday (March 17), Page Six reported that a judge reviewed the evidence that was presented during the July 2019 trial and decided that "Gray failed the 'extrinsic test,' which, per the Hollywood Reporter, 'requires that a copyright plaintiff identify concrete elements based on objective criteria that the works are similar.'"

It seems Marcus Gray won't be receiving the millions he'd hoped for. The judgment was much less than he'd originally desired, considering he wanted Katy Perry, Capitol Records, and the producers to fork over $20 million. Check out the tracks below and let us know if you think Katy is in the clear on this one.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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