The brains behind Katy Perry’s 2013 hit Dark Horse have blasted the lawmakers who ordered them to pay a share of $2.78 million (£2.3 million) to the writers of a similar tune, calling the verdict “a travesty of justice”.
A jury determined the song infringed on the copyright of Marcus Gray’s Christian rap single Joyful Noise last week, and that resulted in a hefty payment for damages, which will be shared between Perry, her fellow songwriters and record label bosses at Capitol.
Now, three days after the judgment came down, a statement from attorney Christine Lapera, who represents the songwriters Juicy J, Lukasz Gottwald, and Max Martin, among others, has been released.
She states: “The writers of Dark Horse view the verdicts as a travesty of justice. There is no infringement. There was no access or substantial similarity.
“The only thing in common is unprotectable expression – evenly spaced ‘C’ and ‘B’ notes – repeated. People including musicologists from all over are expressing their dismay over this. We will continue to fight at all appropriate levels to rectify the injustice.”
The jurors sided with Gray, aka Flame, who claimed Perry’s song infringed on his 2008 track.
His attorneys argued the beat and instrumental tracks of Joyful Noise are significantly similar to Dark Horse.
Perry will be forced to pay Gray over $550,000 (£411,000) unless the verdict changes.
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