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Mariah Carey is currently facing a $20 million copyright lawsuit for her song “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” Vince Vance, a country artist, claims he wrote and recorded a song with the exact same name about five years before Carey’s version had hit. Vance, whose real name is Andy Stone, filed his lawsuit last Friday in New Orleans.
According to experts, the only thing those songs have relating to each other is the title. They then pointed out the U.S. Copyright Office has tons of songs with the same name. Carey’s song came out in 1994 and was co-written and co-produced by the singer herself.
Vance co-wrote “All I want for Christmas is you” in 1989, according to his complaint. His song received “extensive party” during the 1993 Christmas season and “began to make appearances on the Billboard music charts.”
Carey’s song was released for a part of her 1994 album “Merry Christmas.” The song has received widespread play on the radio and on streaming services, mostly during the Christmas season.
Stone, who performs with the country-pop band Vince Vance & The Valiant, made accusations against the defendants of illegally exploiting his “popularity and unique style” and made confusion by recording the newer song without his permission. Both songs have different lyrics and different melodies, the only thing that the songs have in common is the name. His complaint says Stone’s lawyers first contacted the defendants in April 2021 due to their alleged unauthorized use but were “unable to make an agreement.
Apparently, Stone’s lawyers did not immediately respond to the request for additional comment. Not only did Carey’s song “All I want for Christmas reach the radio and streaming devices, but it also went into the ultimate Christmas anthem. Carey is the queen thanks to her uber-hit song.
Written by Key Robertson
Edited by Sheena Robertson
Sources:
American songwriter: Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey being sued for copyright infringement copyright
CNN entertainment: Carey sued for hit track “All I want for Christmas is you”
News: Mariah being sued over holiday hit copyright
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