Judge Likely to Dismiss Copyright Lawsuit Against Mariah Carey's Christmas Hit
A federal judge appears ready to dismiss the copyright infringement lawsuit against Mariah Carey regarding her hit song "All I Want for Christmas Is You."
Mariah Carey performing on illuminated stage
The lawsuit, filed by Louisiana artist Andy Stone (professionally known as Vince Vance), claims Carey's 1994 holiday classic infringed on his 1989 country song of the same name. Stone alleges similarities in compositional structure and lyrical phrases, particularly the title phrase "all I want for Christmas is you."
Judge Mónica Ramírez Almadani is "inclined" to grant summary judgment in favor of Carey and dismiss the case. Additionally, the court is considering imposing sanctions on the plaintiffs for filing what defendants claim is a "frivolous" lawsuit.
Key points from the defense:
- Plaintiffs' experts failed to analyze prior art
- Failed to distinguish between protectable and unprotectable elements
- The motion for summary judgment is considered legally insufficient
If sanctions are imposed, it could set a precedent for future copyright cases, potentially deterring questionable infringement claims in the music industry. The final order has not yet been issued.
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