Latest news with #DresstoImpress
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A TikToker sues Roblox for using her viral Charli XCX dance without permission
If you thought you'd heard the last of the viral 'Apple' dance, think again. The TikToker behind it is now suing Roblox over its unauthorized use. Zillow turns full-blown housing market bear—just look at its new forecast TikTok is obsessed with this investor who bought 30 floors of a Chicago skyscraper What's behind the rise in interim CEOs Last year, during the height of Brat summer, Roblox partnered with singer Charli XCX to feature her music and likeness in an in-game concert within 'Dress to Impress,' a fashion game on the platform. In a lawsuit filed last week in Los Angeles, Kelley Heyer—the creator of the dance set to Charli XCX's hit song—alleges that Roblox used her choreography in the update before finalizing negotiations to officially license the dance, as first reported by Polygon. Heyer first posted the 'Apple' dance on June 15, 2024, and submitted a copyright application on August 30. That was after Roblox reached out to her about licensing the dance as an emote for players to purchase. Roblox added the dance emote, an in-game action used to express a character's personality, in mid-August to coincide with the update. According to the lawsuit, Heyer expressed her willingness to license the dance on August 12, but alleges that Roblox has 'refused to finalize a license agreement' and that she has received no compensation for the use of her choreography. Roblox removed the emote from the game in November 2024—but not before it was sold over 60,000 times, earning an estimated $123,000 from the copyrighted work, per the lawsuit. Heyer hasn't seen any of that revenue, and since the dance is entirely separate from the Charli XCX song, she's suing to claim her share (Charli XCX is not named in the lawsuit). 'Roblox moved forward using Kelley's IP without a signed agreement,' attorney Miki Anzai said in a statement to Polygon. 'Kelley is an independent creator who should be compensated fairly for her work and we saw no other option than to file suit to prove that. We remain willing and open to settle and hope to come to a peaceful agreement.' Roblox has since responded. A spokesperson told Polygon: 'As a platform powered by a community of creators, Roblox takes the protection of intellectual property very seriously and is committed to protecting intellectual property rights of independent developers and creators to brands and artists both on and off the platform.' They continued: 'Roblox is confident in its position and the propriety of its dealings in this matter and looks forward to responding in court.' This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter: Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Creator Behind Viral Charli XCX ‘Apple' Dance Sues Roblox Over Copyright Violation
The creator behind the viral dance set to Charli XCX's Brat single, 'Apple,' is suing Roblox for copyright law violation. Kelley Heyer was reportedly negotiating a license with the online gaming platform, but the two parties did not reach a deal before the dance was used in Dress to Impress. In the game, users were able to purchase the dance as an 'emote' for their virtual character. Heyer's lawyers allege that the platform earned $123,000 from the featured addition. 'Roblox proudly advertises that its platform allows creators to 'create, scale and monetize,'' they said, per Billboard. 'Yet, it has prevented Ms. Heyer from the crucial monetization of her work on the Roblox platform.' The dance has since been removed from the game. Heyer is seeking profit from Roblox's earnings while the dance was live through November 2024, in addition to damages. More from Rolling Stone Charli XCX Makes Coachella 'Brat' With Billie Eilish, Lorde, and Troye Sivan 2025 Webby Awards: Kendrick Lamar, Charli XCX, Lady Gaga Score Nominations Camila Cabello Felt 'Crushed' About Charli XCX Comparisons After 'I Luv It' 'As a platform powered by a community of creators, Roblox takes the protection of intellectual property very seriously and is committed to protecting intellectual property rights of independent developers and creators to brands and artists both on and off the platform,' Roblox shared in a statement, per Polygon. Heyer's lawyers added: 'Roblox has substantially benefited and profited from its unlawful infringement of Ms. Heyer's copyright and other uninvited misappropriations of Ms. Heyer's intellectual property and proprietary rights in the Apple Dance.' The content creator has reportedly negotiated licensing deals with Netflix and Fortnite pertaining to the viral dance. Over on TikTok, Heyer's comments are filled with users taunting her about the lawsuit. Under one video completely unrelated to the legal filing, one wrote, 'If I dance apple right now are you gonna sue…,' while another added: 'Imagine suing a children's game.' This isn't the first time that a viral dance has made its way from TikTok to much bigger platforms where proper accreditation is crucial. And Heyer's dance wasn't only popular on TikTok. It's performed nightly by audience members and special guests on the big screen at Charli XCX's live shows. When she performed at Coachella this past weekend, the cameras locked on Alex Consani, Gabbriette, and Quenlin Blackwell as they led the dance. 'Roblox moved forward using Kelley's IP without a signed agreement,' Heyere's attorney said. 'Kelley is an independent creator who should be compensated fairly for her work and we saw no other option than to file suit to prove that. We remain willing and open to settle and hope to come to a peaceful agreement.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Express Tribune
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Creator of Charli XCX's viral 'Apple' dance sues Roblox for unauthorised use of choreography
Kelley Heyer, an actor and TikTok creator, has filed a lawsuit against Roblox for allegedly using and selling her viral 'Apple' dance without finalising a licensing agreement. The choreography, which gained massive popularity on TikTok and was later incorporated into Charli XCX's live performances, became an emote in Roblox's Dress to Impress update in August 2024, weeks before any deal was officially signed. Heyer filed the lawsuit on 11 April in California, claiming she was in active negotiations with Roblox to license the dance, which she originally posted on TikTok on 15 June 2024. She submitted a copyright application on 30 August, two weeks after Roblox released the emote to coincide with its Brat album update on 17 August. According to the complaint, Heyer had agreed to license the dance as of 12 August, but Roblox released it prematurely and has since 'refused to finalise a license agreement' or offer compensation. 'Roblox moved forward using Kelley's IP without a signed agreement,' said attorney Miki Anzai in a statement to Polygon. 'Kelley is an independent creator who should be compensated fairly for her work and we saw no other option than to file suit to prove that. We remain willing and open to settle and hope to come to a peaceful agreement.' Heyer alleges that Roblox sold more than 60,000 copies of the 'Apple Dance' emote, earning approximately 123,000 dollars in revenue before it was removed from sale in November 2024. Her legal team argues that the emote consisted solely of her choreography, making her the sole artist behind the content. By contrast, the same dance was correctly licensed by Fortnite in December, and Netflix has also secured licensing rights for its usage. Now, Heyer is seeking a share of Roblox's profits from the emote, alongside other damages. This lawsuit joins a broader conversation around intellectual property and dance in gaming. In 2019, multiple cases against Fortnite publisher Epic Games were dismissed, including one filed by Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor Alfonso Ribeiro. However, a more recent case by choreographer Kyle Hanagami was revived by the Ninth Circuit Court, which stated that reducing choreography to mere 'poses' was akin to reducing music to 'notes.' The case was eventually dismissed after both parties agreed to settle in 2024. Roblox, in response, issued the following statement: 'As a platform powered by a community of creators, Roblox takes the protection of intellectual property very seriously and is committed to protecting intellectual property rights of independent developers and creators to brands and artists both on and off the platform. Roblox is confident in its position and the propriety of its dealings in this matter and looks forward to responding in court.'
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Viral Apple dance creator sues Roblox over its use in the game
The TikToker behind the viral Apple dance has taken legal action against Roblox. Kelley Heyer's choreography, inspired by Charli XCX's hit song of the same name, appeared in TikTok videos by the likes of Kylie Jenner, actress Daisy Edgar-Jones and even the singer herself. Ms Heyer's legal team claims Roblox made $123,000 (£93,000) from selling the moves as an "emote" - a celebratory animation used by players in the game - without her permission. Roblox tells BBC Newsbeat it takes intellectual property "very seriously" and is confident it hasn't done anything wrong. An estimated 80 million people play Roblox every day and it has more monthly users than the Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation combined. Roblox made a deal with Charli XCX last year to use her music and likeness as part of an in-game concert within Dress to Impress - one of the most popular experiences on the platform. According to reports shared by Ms Heyer, she'd been in talks with Roblox to license the Apple dance but hadn't given final approval before it appeared in the game. Ms Heyer previously told Newsbeat about kicking off the trend when she debuted some moves for the "unappreciated" track from Charli XCX's award-winning album, Brat. At the time she said she had seen "large brands or huge creators" capitalising on the trend without crediting her. "And that sort of bums me out a little bit," she said. "That could have been a really good opportunity, really good exposure for me." A Roblox spokesperson said: "As a platform powered by a community of creators, Roblox takes the protection of intellectual property very seriously and is committed to protecting intellectual property rights of independent developers and creators to brands and artists both on and off the platform," a spokesperson says. "Roblox is confident in its position and the propriety of its dealings in this matter and looks forward to responding in court." Newsbeat has contacted Ms Heyer and her representatives for further comment. Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. Tearing other women down isn't brat, says Apple dance creator Brits go Brat as Charli XCX wins five awards Brat crowned Collins Dictionary 2024 word of the year
BBC News
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Charli XCX Apple dance creator sues Roblox over emote
The TikToker behind the viral Apple dance has taken legal action against Heyer's choreography, inspired by Charli XCX's hit song of the same name, appeared in TikTok videos by the likes of Kylie Jenner, actress Daisy Edgar-Jones and even the singer herself. Ms Heyer's legal team claims Roblox made $123,000 (£93,000) from selling the moves as an "emote" - a celebratory animation used by players in the game - without her tells BBC Newsbeat it takes intellectual property "very seriously" and is confident it hasn't done anything wrong. An estimated 80 million people play Roblox every day and it has more monthly users than the Nintendo Switch and Sony PlayStation made a deal with Charli XCX last year to use her music and likeness as part of an in-game concert within Dress to Impress - one of the most popular experiences on the to reports shared by Ms Heyer, she'd been in talks with Roblox to license the Apple dance but hadn't given final approval before it appeared in the Heyer previously told Newsbeat about kicking off the trend when she debuted some moves for the "unappreciated" track from Charli XCX's award-winning album, Brat. At the time she said she had seen "large brands or huge creators" capitalising on the trend without crediting her."And that sort of bums me out a little bit," she said. "That could have been a really good opportunity, really good exposure for me." A Roblox spokesperson said: "As a platform powered by a community of creators, Roblox takes the protection of intellectual property very seriously and is committed to protecting intellectual property rights of independent developers and creators to brands and artists both on and off the platform," a spokesperson says. "Roblox is confident in its position and the propriety of its dealings in this matter and looks forward to responding in court."Newsbeat has contacted Ms Heyer and her representatives for further comment. Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here.
