Dua Lipa Slammed with TWO Copyright Lawsuits Over ‘Levitating’
Pop superstar Dua Lipa is caught in a legal storm with not one, but two copyright infringement lawsuits over her hit track “Levitating.” The latest claims accuse her and her label, Warner Records, of ripping off earlier tunes. Here’s the lowdown.
Reggae Band and Songwriters Cry Foul
The first lawsuit comes from US-based reggae group Artikal Sound System. They allege that “Levitating” copies their 2017 song “Live Your Life.” The band claims Dua Lipa and her team “listened to and copied” their track, demanding cash damages and a cut of the profits from her smash hit.
The second lawsuit is filed by veteran songwriters L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer. They say “Levitating” echoes their 1979 and 1980 tracks, “Wiggle and Giggle All Night” and “Don Diablo.” According to them, Dua Lipa cherry-picked parts of their songs, which helped create the viral TikTok melody that fans love.
Brown and Linzer even pointed to a past interview where Dua Lipa admitted drawing on decade-old music for inspiration. That adds fuel to their fire—though their demands for compensation remain unclear.
Dua Lipa has stayed silent on the accusations so far.
How Do These Lawsuits Work? Legal Expert Weighs In
We asked Frank Rittman, legal advisor at PitchMark, about what the plaintiffs must prove to win:
- First, they must show the copied material is protected by copyright.
- They need to prove Dua Lipa had access to the original songs—if her team could have heard them.
- They must convince the court the songs are “substantially similar.”
“Even if Dua Lipa never met them, if the songs were accessible via streaming or radio, that counts as access,” explained Rittman. “And proving similarity means showing ordinary folks would hear enough likeness in the melodies or hooks—even subconsciously.”
Not everything in a song is protected—titles and simple chord progressions aren’t covered. And intent to copy doesn’t matter; courts recognise accidental plagiarism too.
Most infringement cases in the US are decided by judges, often with expert musicologists breaking down the songs, not juries.
What’s Next For ‘Levitating’?
Artikal’s complaint lacks detailed analysis, so it might be thrown out unless they refile. Meanwhile, Brown and Linzer have laid out their case note-by-note, making their claim stronger.
No official response from Dua Lipa or her label has been made public yet. Insiders expect talks behind the scenes about whether to fight or settle.
If the plaintiffs win, they won’t own the song but could claim hefty damages or a share of the earnings. It’s unlikely the court will take away Dua Lipa’s copyright.
If Dua Lipa wins, she might recover legal fees and clear her name.
Pop Stars Under Siege: A Common Battle
Dua Lipa is far from alone—Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, Led Zeppelin, and others have faced similar battles. Copyright battles hit beyond music too, targeting books, movies, photos, and more.
As for avoiding lawsuits, even filming songwriting sessions may not be enough, says Rittman. The key takeaway? “Just because you hear something doesn’t mean you’re allowed to copy it.”
