Dua Lipa wins major victory in ongoing “Levitating” lawsuits

Dua Lipa has emerged victorious in her legal battles concerning her hit song “Levitating.” The songwriters of the 1979 track “Wiggle and Giggle All Night” and its 1980 derivative, “Don Diablo,” L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer, alleged that Lipa’s song copied elements from their work. However, a U.S. District Judge, Katherine Polk Failla, dismissed the lawsuit, stating that the similarities were too generic to be protected under copyright law. The judge emphasized that these common musical elements are integral to the genre and cannot be claimed exclusively by any single artist.

Despite the dismissal, Brown and Linzer have announced their intention to appeal. This legal triumph marks Dua Lipa’s second victory related to “Levitating,” as a previous lawsuit filed by the reggae band Artikal Sound System was also dismissed due to lack of substantial evidence of similarity or access.

Nevertheless, Dua Lipa is still entangled in another legal challenge from artist Bosko Kante, who alleges unauthorized use of his talk box recordings in remixes of “Levitating.” This case is yet to be resolved, adding to the string of legal battles the artist has had to face.

These lawsuits shed light on the complexities of copyright laws in the music industry, particularly when it comes to the use of common musical elements and collaborations. Despite these legal hurdles, Dua Lipa remains committed to her music career, focusing on her tour to promote her 2024 album, Radical Optimism, and the reissue of her celebrated album Future Nostalgia.

In the midst of legal proceedings, Dua Lipa continues to produce music and engage with her fans. Her dedication to her craft remains unwavering, as she navigates through these challenges and continues to make a mark in the music industry.