Childish Gambino Wins Copyright Victory Over This Is America - Noise11.com
Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino Wins Copyright Victory Over This Is America

by Music-News.com on March 28, 2023

in News

A copyright infringement lawsuit against Childish Gambino over his hit This Is America has been dismissed.

Gambino, the musical stage name of actor Donald Glover, was sued by Emelike Nwosuocha, who performs as Kidd Wes, in May 2021. In the lawsuit, Nwosuocha claimed that This Is America, released in 2018, had striking similarities to his own tune, Made in America, and sought damages for copyright infringement.

However, on Friday, Judge Victor Marrero ruled that the songs were “not substantially similar” and dismissed the legal action.

“We are very grateful for the court’s decision,” Glover’s attorney Jonathan D. Davis said in a statement to Pitchfork. “No case existed here, as there was no infringement – let alone a copyright registration. That was obvious from a simple comparison of the two songs and a review of the U.S. Copyright Office records.”

Nwosuocha’s attorneys told the outlet their client was “understandably disappointed” by the ruling and is considering an appeal.

“He stands by his music, creativity, and the independence of grassroots artists to create their own music, and receive credit where credit is due, without the fear of it being apportioned by another,” they added.

In his ruling, Judge Victor Marrero wrote, “A cursory comparison with the challenged composition reveals that the content of the choruses is entirely different and not substantially similar.”

He stated, “The elements of Plaintiff’s Composition purportedly infringed upon are insufficiently original to warrant protection, or because they are not substantially similar to the Challenged Composition.”

The judge also noted the differences in the lyrics and themes and that Nwosuocha had failed to obtain copyright registration for his song’s composition.

music-news.com

Stay updated with your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here

Be the first to see NOISE.com’s newest interviews and special features on YOUTUBE and updated regularly. See things first SUBSCRIBE here: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

Noise11.com

Follow Noise11 on Social Media

Noise11 on Instagram

You’ll discover music news first following Noise11 on Twitter

Comment on the news of the day, join Noise11 on Facebook

Related Posts

Kelsea Ballerini Is Heading Back To Australia For Shows In December

Kelsea Ballerini will perform for a fourth time in Australia in December.

6 days ago
The Beths photo by Frances Carter
The Beths Channeled Stephen King and Olivia Rodrigo For Fourth Album ‘Straight Line Was A Lie’

New Zealand’s The Beths have a new song ‘No Joy’ ahead of the fourth album ‘Straight Line Was A Lie’ coming in August and Stephen King and Olivia Rodrigo had in some way inspired it.

June 25, 2025
Conner Smith
Country Singer Conner Smith Cancels Show After Killing Pedestrian

Conner Smith has cancelled two shows so he can regroup after accidentally killing a pedestrian.

June 18, 2025
Ed Sheeran photo by Ros O'Gorman
Ed Sheeran Wins Shouting Out Loud Copyright Case

Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud copyright lawsuit won't proceed to the US Supreme Court.

June 17, 2025
MGK Machine Gun Kelly Los Americana
Bob Dylan Narrates Trailer for New MGK (Machine Gun Kelly) Album ‘Lost Americana’

Bob Dylan’s voice is heard on the trailer for ‘Lost Americana’, a new album on the way from MGK (Machine Gun Kelly).

June 11, 2025
Jacob Collier - photographer credit Nicole Nodland
Jacob Collier Djesse World Tour Includes Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney

British singer songwriter Jacob Collier has included three Australian dates for Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney as part of the Djesse World Tour.

June 10, 2025
Finneas (supplied by Universal Music)
Finneas Tear-Gassed During Los Angeles Protest

Finneas has claimed that he was tear-gassed by the National Guard at a "very peaceful" protest in Los Angeles.

June 10, 2025