Dua Lipa Wins Copyright Battle as Judge Dismisses ‘Levitating’ Lawsuit

Dua Lipa’s Legal Victory: ‘Levitating’ Copyright Case Dismissed

Dua Lipa has scored a major legal win as a U.S. judge dismissed a copyright lawsuit against her chart-topping song "Levitating." The case, filed by songwriters L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer, accused the pop star of copying melodies from their 1979 and 1980 tracks. However, the court ruled that the similarities were not substantial enough to constitute copyright infringement.

Let’s dive into what happened in this high-profile legal battle and what it means for the music industry.

What Was the Lawsuit About?

Back in 2022, Dua Lipa was hit with two separate copyright lawsuits over her hit single "Levitating."

• The first case was filed by Florida reggae group Artikal Sound System, which claimed Lipa’s song was similar to their track "Live Your Life." This lawsuit was dismissed in June 2023 due to lack of evidence.
• The second lawsuit, filed by L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer, alleged that "Levitating" copied elements from their songs "Wiggle and Giggle All Night" (1979) and "Don Diablo" (1980).

The Key Claim:

The plaintiffs argued that the opening melody of "Levitating" closely resembled their compositions. They also pointed out that Dua Lipa had publicly acknowledged taking inspiration from retro sounds, which they claimed was proof of deliberate copying.

Why the Judge Dismissed the Case

On March 27, 2025, Judge Katherine Polk Failla ruled in favor of Dua Lipa, stating that the lawsuit did not hold up under copyright law.

Main Reasons for Dismissal:

1. Non-Copyrightable Elements – The judge determined that the melodies in question were based on a descending scale, which is a common musical feature and not eligible for copyright protection.
2. Additional Notes in ‘Levitating’ – Unlike the older songs, "Levitating" included an extra note, making it distinct from Brown and Linzer’s compositions.
3. Precedent from the Ed Sheeran Case – The ruling referenced the 2023 Ed Sheeran copyright case, in which Sheeran was accused of copying Marvin Gaye’s "Let’s Get It On." Sheeran won the case after the court found that his song used common musical elements that could not be copyrighted.

Judge Failla emphasized that, even if an average listener might notice similarities, those similarities involved basic musical patterns that aren’t legally protected.

What This Means for the Music Industry

Dua Lipa’s victory in this case is a major moment in copyright law for musicians. Over the past few years, artists have faced a growing number of copyright claims over common musical elements.

Many musicians and industry experts argue that certain chord progressions and melodies are fundamental to music as a whole, making it unfair to claim ownership over them.

This ruling reinforces that:

• Not every musical similarity equals copyright infringement.

Musicians can draw inspiration from past eras without automatically facing legal trouble.

Is Dua Lipa Completely in the Clear?

While this lawsuit has been dismissed, Dua Lipa is still facing another legal challenge over "Levitating."

In 2023, producer Bosko Kante filed a separate lawsuit against Lipa, claiming that she used his talk box recording without permission in different remixes of the song. That case is still ongoing.

Will This Set a New Precedent?

Dua Lipa’s legal victory in this copyright dispute is a win not just for her but for artists across the music industry. With copyright lawsuits becoming more common, this ruling sends a clear message that basic musical structures cannot be owned.

As for Dua Lipa, she can now breathe a sigh of relief and continue making hits without this particular legal cloud hanging over her head.

Will the remaining lawsuit impact her next moves? Only time will tell.