Mariah Carey was sued on Friday over her 1994 Christmas classic "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by a songwriter who said he co-wrote a song with the same title five years earlier.
In a complaint filed in New Orleans federal court, Andy Stone is seeking at least $20 million in damages from Carey, her co-writer and Sony Music Entertainment for copyright infringement and misappropriation, among other claims.
Stone, who performs as Vince Vance with the country-pop band Vince Vance & the Valiants, accused the defendants of having illegally exploited his "popularity and unique style" and caused confusion by recording the newer song without his permission.
Carey's and Stone's songs have different lyrics and melodies.
Spokespeople for Carey and Sony Music did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Carey's song appeared on her album "Merry Christmas," and has long received widespread play on radio and in retail shopping environments during the holiday season.
It has also topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart every year since 2019, despite having been recorded a quarter century earlier.
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" was Carey's 19th No. 1 song, one fewer than the Beatles.
Stone said his own song had received "extensive airplay" during the 1993 Christmas season, and also appeared on Billboard charts.
It wasn't clear from the complaint when Stone first learned about Carey's song.
The complaint said Stone's lawyers first contacted the defendants in April 2021 about their alleged unauthorized use, but were "unable to come to any agreement."
Stone's lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment.
Latest Stories
-
Bawumia joins thousands in Kumasi for burial prayers for Ashanti Regional Imam
1 hour -
Blue Gold Bogoso Prestea Limited challenges government actions in court
2 hours -
Patrick Atangana Fouda: ‘A hero of the fight against HIV leaves us’
2 hours -
Trinity Oil MD Gabriel Kumi elected Board Chairman of Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies
3 hours -
ORAL campaign key to NDC’s election victory – North America Dema Naa
3 hours -
US Supreme Court to hear TikTok challenge to potential ban
3 hours -
Amazon faces US strike threat ahead of Christmas
4 hours -
Jaguar Land Rover electric car whistleblower sacked
4 hours -
US makes third interest rate cut despite inflation risk
4 hours -
Fish processors call for intervention against illegal trawling activities
4 hours -
Ghana will take time to recover – Akorfa Edjeani
5 hours -
Boakye Agyarko urges reforms to revitalise NPP after election defeat
5 hours -
Finance Minister skips mini-budget presentation for third time
5 hours -
‘ORAL’ team to work gratis – Ablakwa
5 hours -
Affirmative Action Coalition condemns lack of gender quotas in Transition, anti-corruption teams
5 hours