In a recent legal development, a musician has initiated a copyright infringement lawsuit against a trio of popular artists. The complaint alleges that elements of her earlier work were used without authorization in a collaborative track released in 2023. This case highlights the ongoing challenges in protecting original compositions within the music industry.
In an intriguing twist of events, Victory Boyd, a talented artist signed to Roc Nation, has filed a lawsuit claiming that the hit song "Telekinesis" by Travis Scott, SZA, and Future bears striking similarities to her 2019 track "Like the Way It Sounds." According to court documents, Boyd asserts that these artists intentionally and willfully copied her lyrics and melody when they released their collaboration in May 2023.
The complaint, filed on January 8th, names several entities as defendants, including Cactus Jack Records, Epic Records, Sony Music Entertainment, and luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet. Boyd claims she shared her unreleased version of "Ultrasounds," featuring Kanye West, with Scott, believing it was passed along to him. The plaintiff maintains that this track remained in a Wyoming studio where Scott worked on "Telekinesis."
Boyd also argues that while she was credited as a songwriter, she was unaware that the track would be commercially released without her consent. Furthermore, she contends that Audemars Piguet featured "Telekinesis" in an advertising campaign without obtaining permission to use her allegedly infringed work. Boyd is seeking the recall and destruction of all copies of the disputed music, along with compensation for damages and profits derived from its marketing and distribution.
This case underscores the complexities surrounding intellectual property rights in the music industry. As artists collaborate more frequently across various platforms, ensuring proper attribution and authorization becomes increasingly critical. The outcome of this lawsuit could set important precedents for future cases involving copyright disputes. It serves as a reminder for musicians and producers to meticulously document and protect their creative works.