Kanye West sued by German singer-songwriter Alice Merton for copyright infringement
Kanye West is being sued for copyright infringement by singer-songwriter Alice Merton, who claims the rapper sampled her song without permission after her request for him to refrain, citing his controversial remarks.
The lawsuit, filed in a California federal court and reviewed by Variety, alleges that West used Merton's 2022 track "Blindside" in his song 'Gun to My Head,' which features Ty Dolla $ign and Kid Cudi. Merton was 'shocked and humiliated' when West previewed the track at a "Vultures" listening event in December 2023, and subsequently released it as part of the deluxe edition of Vultures 2 in August 2024.
Merton, who gained fame with her 2017 hit 'No Roots,' claims West first approached her publisher, BMG, in February 2024, seeking approval to sample 'Blindside.' After she denied the request due to his antisemitic and racist remarks, West's team asked for an explanation. Merton's representatives explained that her refusal was based on his values being incompatible with hers, especially due to her family's history with the Holocaust.
Following the release of Vultures 2, Merton's fans reportedly harassed her, blaming her for the song's absence from the original tracklist, and she became fearful for her safety, particularly regarding potential violence. Merton stopped performing "Blindside" at her shows due to safety concerns. Despite receiving a cease-and-desist letter from BMG, which West ignored, Merton is now seeking legal action.
This lawsuit adds to a growing list of copyright infringement cases against West, with previous lawsuits filed by Ozzy Osbourne and Donna Summer's estate for similar issues.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistani horror film ‘Deemak' earns Rs 70mn over opening weekend
Pakistani horror film 'Deemak' dominated the box office over Eid weekend, with a staggering Rs70 million in just its first two days, according to reports. Directed by Rafay Rashdi and written by Ayesha Muzaffar 'Deemak' explores the volatile relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law against a backdrop of escalating paranormal disturbances in a family home. The cast includes Faysal Quraishi, Sonya Hussyn, Samina Peerzada, Javed Sheikh and Bushra Ansari. The story follows a family whose home becomes the site of increasingly disturbing supernatural phenomena. As paranormal activity intensifies, a psychological battle unfolds between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, with the son caught between the two women. Executive producer Syed Murad Ali said, 'I've always had a deep fascination with the horror genre — I've watched countless horror films growing up, and the idea of creating one myself has been with me for years,' he was quoted as saying by Variety.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Tom Felton criticized for downplaying J.K. Rowling's controversial remarks upon return to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Tom Felton is speaking out about returning to the Harry Potter franchise, addressing both his Broadway debut and the controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling's remarks on transgender issues. The actor, who rose to fame for his portrayal of Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, is set to reprise his role in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway in New York City this November. While walking the red carpet at the Tony Awards, Felton was asked whether Rowling's comments about the transgender community influenced his decision to return to the Harry Potter universe. Tom Felton says the controversy around J.K. Rowling's political views doesn't impact him: "I'm not really that attuned to it...I have not seen anything bring the world together more than Potter. She's responsible for that, so I'm incredibly grateful." #TonyAwards — Variety (@Variety) June 8, 2025 Felton responded, "No, I can't say it does. I'm not really that attuned." He went on to reflect on the positive impact of the Harry Potter series, stating, "I've been lucky enough to travel the world — here I am in New York — and I have not seen anything bring the world together more than 'Potter.' She's responsible for that, so I'm incredibly grateful." Despite his gratitude for Rowling's creation, Felton's stance has garnered mixed reactions. Some have criticized his support for Rowling, pointing to the author's controversial anti-transgender comments. One critic on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, 'What would a privileged straight white cis male know about the oppression faced by my trans colleagues?' Others defended Felton, with one user praising him for not biting the hand that feeds him, referring to his decision to stand by the franchise. The debate over Rowling's views continues to stir controversy, with the author recently celebrating a UK Supreme Court ruling regarding transgender rights. Felton, however, remains focused on his return to the stage, where he will portray a more mature Draco Malfoy in Cursed Child, a role that explores Draco's evolving relationship with his son, Scorpius. Tom Felton says reprising his #HarryPotter role as Draco Malfoy on Broadway is a "pinch-me moment" — and he got a little misty-eyed putting that wig back on! 🥹#TonyAwards @TomFelton #CursedChildNYC — ExtraTV (@extratv) June 8, 2025 As Felton prepares for his Broadway debut, it's clear that his connection to the Harry Potter legacy remains strong, even as the world around it changes.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Baldoni's defamation case against Lively rejected
Lively accused Baldoni of harassment during filming of It Ends With Us. Photos: File A New York judge on Monday dismissed Justin Baldoni's $400 million countersuit against his It Ends With Us co-star Blake Lively, marking a major legal victory for the actor and her allies in a highly publicised dispute that has rocked Hollywood since late last year. As per Variety, the ruling from Judge Lewis Liman threw out Baldoni's claims of extortion and defamation, brought in response to Lively's December 2024 lawsuit against the actor and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, in which she alleged sexual harassment on set and subsequent retaliation. The lawsuit stems from tensions on the set of the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's bestseller, where Lively starred as Lily Bloom and Baldoni served as both co-star and producer. The film's release was overshadowed by allegations Lively first made public in a New York Times article, before formally filing her complaint in court. Baldoni had responded with a sweeping defamation countersuit not only targetting Lively, but also her husband Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and the New York Times. He alleged that Lively orchestrated a campaign to damage his reputation and sabotage the film's release, including threats to withdraw promotional support unless demands were met. But in a sharply worded opinion, Judge Liman rejected the basis of Baldoni's legal arguments. "The Wayfarer Parties have not alleged that Lively is responsible for any statements other than the statements in her lawsuit, which are privileged," Liman wrote. He further ruled that Lively's actions amounted to "legally permissible hard bargaining," not extortion. As for the $250 million suit against the New York Times, the judge said Baldoni failed to show that the publication acted with actual malice. "The Times reviewed the available evidence and reported, perhaps in a dramatised manner, what it believed to have happened," the opinion read. Following the ruling, Lively's legal team released a statement hailing the decision as "a total victory and a complete vindication." The statement also noted the dismissal extended to all parties named in Baldoni's lawsuit, including Reynolds, Sloane, and the Times. On Instagram, Lively responded to the ruling with a message of solidarity: "Like so many others, I've felt the pain of a retaliatory lawsuit," she wrote. "While the suit against me was defeated, so many don't have the resources to fight back." Baldoni has been granted the option to amend and refile parts of his complaint related to alleged interference with contractual agreements by June 23. The decision comes just a week after Lively voluntarily withdrew two of her claims against Baldoni — those relating to emotional distress — in what her lawyers said was a procedural narrowing of the case. With a trial still expected next year, the legal and reputational fallout from It Ends With Us continues to unfold, casting a long shadow over a film once positioned as a prestige project.
