Pop star Lizzo is facing fresh legal trouble as a new copyright-infringement claim has been filed, alleging that her latest work borrows substantially from another creator’s composition. Although the singer has dealt with lawsuits before, this marks a notably different front: intellectual-property litigation.
Accusation Unveiled
According to court documents filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court this week, the plaintiff—whose identity is listed under pseudonym to protect ongoing negotiation—claims that Lizzo’s recent single uses “core melodic, harmonic and rhythmic elements” from their earlier song without permission. The complaint demands unspecified damages, royalty transfers and credit for the original author. The suit asserts the infringing material is “strikingly similar” and that the defendant “had access” to the plaintiff’s composition, a key element in copyright law.
Lizzo’s team declined to comment specifically on the filing but issued a statement saying the artist “takes songwriting integrity seriously” and “respects all creators in this community.” A spokesperson added that they would “vigorously defend the work and the integrity of the creative process.”
While this appears to be a new category of legal challenge for Lizzo, it comes amid a broader backdrop of litigation she has faced. In 2024, for instance, she was sued by former backup dancers over allegations of sexual and racial harassment and a hostile work environment. In a different case in 2020, she won a major victory when a court dismissed a counter-claim that she owed royalties for her hit “Truth Hurts.”
However, none of those prior matters involved direct allegations of copying musical composition.
Copyright infringement lawsuits hinge on two critical elements: access and substantial similarity. The plaintiff states they had previously shared the material with a mutual contact. Lizzo’s legal team will likely contest whether the piece in question is actually the original work and whether the alleged similarities are protectable by copyright. Music-law analysts say such cases often hinge on whether the courts deem the elements sufficiently original to merit protection.
If the case proceeds, it could raise important questions about how established performers handle inspiration and influences. In recent years, several high-profile artists have faced similar claims, prompting discussions about how much borrowing is permissible.