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Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Mariah Carey in Copyright Dispute Over Holiday Classic
A federal judge in Los Angeles has determined that Mariah Carey did not infringe on the rights of other songwriters concerning her iconic hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” This ruling comes as a substantial win for Carey and her co-writer, Walter Afanasieff, as they will avoid a trial after the judge granted their request for summary judgment.
The lawsuit was initiated in 2023 by songwriters Andy Stone, known professionally as Vince Vance, and Troy Powers. The pair sought $20 million in damages, claiming that Carey’s 1994 holiday classic violated copyright laws by borrowing elements from their own song, which shares the same title and was released in 1989.
Following the ruling, Stone and Powers’ attorney, Gerard P. Fox, expressed disappointment in communications with The Associated Press. Fox reflected on his experience, stating that judges at this level frequently dismiss music copyright cases and suggested that an appeal may be necessary for his clients to have their case heard by a jury. He emphasized that the decision was made based on the evaluations of two respected musicologists from prominent colleges.
The plaintiffs argued that their version of “‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ presents a distinct narrative, where a person, disenchanted by material gifts and festive distractions, expresses a desire to be with their loved one by writing to Santa Claus.” They claimed there was a strong likelihood that Carey and Afanasieff were familiar with their song, which had attained No. 31 on Billboard’s Hot Country chart, alleging substantial similarities in the work.
However, Judge RamÃrez Almadani sided with the defense after reviewing testimonies from experts on both sides. The defense experts argued that both songs utilized common Christmas tropes that existed prior to their respective releases, and that Carey’s song approached these themes in a unique manner. The judge highlighted that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate that the two songs were substantially alike.
Additionally, the judge imposed sanctions against Stone and Powers, deeming their legal action frivolous and noting that their legal team had not made an adequate effort to substantiate their claims with evidence. As a result, they were ordered to cover at least part of Carey’s and Afanasieff’s legal fees.
Carey’s holiday masterpiece has achieved remarkable success in recent years, surpassing even its initial acclaim in the 1990s. It has topped Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for six consecutive years, a metric that considers weekly popularity via airplay, sales, and streaming. The song has shattered streaming records, amassing over 2 billion plays on Spotify.
While Carey and Afanasieff have engaged in public disagreements about the extent of their individual contributions to the song, this legal battle has prompted a temporary reunion of sorts. In another notable attempt, Carey previously sought to trademark the title “Queen of Christmas” but faced rejection from the U.S. Trademark Trial and Appeal Board in 2021, which also dismissed her attempts to trademark “Princess Christmas” and “QOC.”
In related news, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame recently announced that Mariah Carey will be one of its nominees for induction in 2025.
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