Katy Perry and her ‘Dark Horse‘ co-writers have issued a statement slamming the verdict against them in a recent copyright trial, saying that it is unjust and unreasonable.
[jwplayer gNKCqtOD]
Perry and her team were recently sued by a Christian rapper called Flame, aka Marcus Gray, over similarities between her hit and a track of his own called ‘Joyful Noise‘.
The jury awarded $2.78 million in damages to Gray, with the singer herself liable for $550,000 and her label Capitol Records expected to pay the balance.
Overnight, Perry’s lawyers issued a statement on her behalf, and that of co-writers and producers Dr. Luke, Cirkut, Max Martin, Juicy J and Sarah Hudson. It read:
“The writers of ‘Dark Horse’ view the verdicts as a travesty of justice. There is no infringement. There was no access of substantial similarity. The only thing in common is unprotectable expression – evenly spaced ‘C’ and ‘B’ notes – repeated. People including musicologists from all over are expressing their dismay over this. We will continue to fight at all appropriate levels to rectify the injustice.”
Lawyers for Gray claimed that ‘Dark Horse’ made up to $31 million for Capitol Records, based on profits from the single itself as well as the album on which it appeared, and a live DVD.
The defence said that this figure was way overblown and argued that after production and promotion expenses, profits from the song itself were only $650,000.
A representative for Katy Perry was critical of Gray and his team for their estimation of the song’s profits, saying: “They’re not seeking fairness. They’re seeking to obtain as much money as possible.”
Though an appeal has not yet been lodged, it is likely that the singer will fight the verdict, on the basis that no reasonable jury could find copyright infringement from the evidence presented.
The appeal could take some time, but when it comes to these types of complicated legal proceedings, I …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEb5gNsmGJ8
