British pop star Dua Lipa has successfully defended herself against yet another copyright lawsuit over her chart-topping track Levitating. A U.S. judge ruled that the claims made by songwriters L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer lacked merit, marking Lipa’s second victory in a legal battle over the song.
The lawsuit, filed in 2022, alleged that Levitating copied elements from Brown and Linzer’s 1979 song Wiggle and Giggle All Night and their 1980 track Don Diablo. The claim focused on the opening melody of Lipa’s hit, arguing that it was identical to their work. However, Judge Katherine Polk Failla dismissed the case, stating that the similarities were based on commonly used musical structures that had appeared in songs for centuries.
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Failla’s ruling referenced historical examples, pointing out that similar patterns could be found in compositions by Mozart, Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, and even the Bee Gees’ disco classic Stayin’ Alive. She emphasised that basic musical elements, such as scales and rhythmic patterns, cannot be copyrighted.
This is not the first time Levitating has been at the centre of a copyright dispute. In 2023, Lipa won a separate case against Florida reggae band Artikal Sound System, who claimed that the song copied the chorus of their 2015 track Live Your Life. That case was also thrown out due to lack of evidence that Lipa or her team had access to the earlier song.
Dua Lipa on stage during a live performance captivating the audience with her energyGetty Images
Despite these victories, Lipa still faces a separate legal challenge from musician Bosko Kante, who contributed vocals to Levitating using a talk box. Kante alleges that his voice was used in remixes of the song without proper authorisation and is seeking at least $2 million (£1.5 million) in damages.
The pop sensation at the Grammys celebrating another career milestoneGetty Images
The recent ruling in Lipa’s favour points out a growing trend in copyright law. The decision cited Ed Sheeran’s 2023 case, in which he successfully defended his song Thinking Out Loud against claims that it copied Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On. Courts are increasingly recognising that certain musical components like scales, chord progressions, and rhythmic structures are part of a shared creative language and cannot be owned by any single artist.
Dua Lipa in a candid moment embodying the creative process behind her chart-topping hitsGetty Images
While Brown and Linzer plan to appeal, this latest win strengthens Lipa’s position and brings about a broader conversation in the music industry about originality and artistic freedom. Meanwhile, the singer continues her Radical Optimism tour, proving that despite legal battles, her career remains on an upward trajectory.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.