Kanye sued by Donna Summer's estate over copyright

Kanye West is being sued by Donna Summer’s estate for allegedly sampling “I Feel Love” without permission. The disco singer’s estate rejected Kanye’s request to sample the song, leading to a legal dispute.

Court documents say the disco singer’s estate denied Kanye’s request to sample I Feel Love.

Legal records reveal that the estate of the Queen of Disco declined Kanye’s proposal to use a sample from the 1977 chart-topper “I Feel Love.” Kanye West, who has attracted controversy in recent times due to remarks perceived as far-right or antisemitic, has not issued any statements regarding the legal dispute initiated by Summer’s estate.

His track “Good (Don’t Die)” incorporated a sample of I Feel Love. Although initially featured on his album Vultures 1, released earlier this month, the song has since been removed from streaming platforms.

According to an attorney representing Summer’s estate, West’s representatives from Alien Music approached them on January 31st, seeking clearance to sample the disco hit, just a week prior to the rapper’s album release. However, the request was denied due to concerns about potential harm to Summer’s legacy, citing West’s controversial public image and the subsequent disassociation of numerous brands and business partners.

Despite the denial, the attorney alleges that West attempted to circumvent the decision by using a soundalike version of the song, which still constitutes copyright infringement according to their claims.

After the album’s release, Summer’s estate reached out to streaming services, requesting the removal of the song. The album was taken down a few days later and reissued without the track. However, the lawsuit alleges that the song’s prior streaming has caused harm to the estate, with millions of streams. Filed against the 46-year-old rapper, his record label, and collaborator Ty Dolla $ign, the lawsuit seeks damages and an injunction to halt further distribution of the song.

The late singer, who passed away from lung cancer in 2012, is renowned for hits such as “Love to Love You Baby” and “Hot Stuff.” The BBC has also reached out to Giorgio Moroder, who co-wrote and produced “I Feel Love,” for comment on the case. Summer isn’t the only artist who has recently turned down sample requests from Kanye.

In February, Ozzy Osbourne prevented Kanye from sampling a 1983 live rendition of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” for his Vultures 1 album. Despite the refusal, Kanye reportedly incorporated the sample during a listening event for the album. However, the sample did not make it into the final version of his track “Carnival,” which debuted atop the US Billboard’s Streaming Songs chart. The 75-year-old rock icon declined Kanye’s request, citing concerns about Kanye’s alleged anti-Semitic views.

In a post-release interview, Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife and television personality, criticized Kanye, now known as Ye, suggesting that he embodies hateful ideologies. Kanye, previously banned from Twitter in December 2022 due to offensive tweets, had his account reinstated eight months later. Adidas, the manufacturer of Kanye’s Yeezy sneakers, severed ties with him following anti-Semitic remarks on social media. Kanye, who initially gained fame in 2004, has sold 160 million records to date.

The legendary late disco queen’s estate is claiming that Kanye’s song sampled a part of one of Donna’s classics without properly obtaining the rights. This is definitely a tricky situation, and it’ll be interesting to see how it unfolds. What do you think about this whole ordeal? Let’s keep an eye on this case as it develops!

Disclaimer:
This content is AI-generated using IFTTT AI Content Creator. While we strive for accuracy, it’s a tool for rapid updates. We’re committed to filtering information, not reproducing or endorsing misinformation. – Jomotoday for more information visit privacy policy