Not even the Grinch—or a lawsuit—can steal Mariah Carey’s Christmas crown.
The pop icon has won a decisive victory against a 2023 copyright lawsuit alleging she copied elements of her holiday classic, All I Want for Christmas Is You, from a country song of the same name.
According to the ruling of US District Judge Monica Almadani in Los Angeles, the complainants failed to provide enough evidence to show that their song was objectively similar enough to support their copyright infringement case.
Andy Stone, known for performing as Vince Vance and the Valiants, filed the complaint with co-writer Troy Power on November 23, even naming Sony Music Entertainment as a defendant.
They alleged that they wrote their song of the same name in 1988. They argued that their song became a country hit in 1993 and enjoyed significant seasonal airplay. Stone insisted Carey was aware of it due to its commercial and cultural reach and sought at least $20 million in damages.
However, the federal judge, through the expertise of the musicologists, determined that Stone’s and Carey’s songs were very different. The only thing similar between them was the “use of a common lyrical idea and Christmas song clichés that were in common use prior to [Vance]”.
Based on Variety’s interview with Stone’s lawyer, they will appeal the decision.
“We relied upon two of the top musicologists in the industry both who teach music at prominent universities,” said Gerard Fox, Stone’s attorney.
“It’s becoming very commonplace that our district court throws out music copyright cases and the only way to move the case to trial is to appeal and secure a reversal. This is disappointing. That said our clients are thinking about the appeal process,” he added.
Carey’s All I Want for Christmas is You remains one of the most profitable songs in modern music, consistently topping the charts each holiday season.
In 2023, the music industry law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips estimated that the song earns approximately $3.4 million annually, amassing around $103 million over the past 30 years.
