Legal Action Against Kanye West Over Unauthorized Music Usage – Sky Bulletin

The legal representatives of Donna Summer have initiated a lawsuit against Kanye West for the alleged unauthorized sampling of the disco icon’s song. The ongoing controversy underscores the rapper’s recent challenges related to unauthorized musical uses.

Legal filings, as per People, indicate that West, along with collaborator Ty Dolla $ign, are accused of incorporating elements from Summer’s hit song “I Feel Love” into their own track “Good (Don’t Die)” without proper authorization.

In a lawsuit launched in a California federal court on February 27, Summer’s spouse, Bruce Sudano, is leading the charge, demanding up to $150,000 per instance of copyright infringement, with the total number of instances yet unspecified.

Summer’s estate alleges that despite an explicit denial of permission—conveyed both in writing and verbally—the pair proceeded to utilize “distinctive portions” of the hit in their song. Notably, the song was seemingly completed prior to securing the necessary rights. This is inferred from the actions of an entity identified as “Alien Music,” representing West, which requested a swift review of the song, hinting that its release was imminent and had been prepared without the required permissions.

Summer’s estate expressed that the defendants seemingly decided to “simply steal” the song after their request was rejected, largely due to the desire to dissassociate from West’s contentious public persona.

The lawsuit extends beyond financial compensation, with the estate aiming to safeguard Donna Summer’s artistic legacy.

Sudano disclosed the copyright infringement publicly on February 10, confirming the denial of permission to West and accusing him of utilizing the song regardless.

@kanyewest asked permission to use Donna Summer’s song I Feel Love, he was denied… he changed the words, had someone re sing it or used AI but it’s I Feel Love… copyright infringement!!!

— Bruce Sudano (@BruceSudano) February 10, 2024

This is not an isolated incident, as Ozzy Osbourne voiced a similar complaint claiming West had also improperly used a portion of Black Sabbath’s “War Pig” after permission was denied. As of now, “Good (Don’t Die)” has been pulled from Spotify, possibly in connection with the lawsuit.

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FAQ Section:

Q: What song of Donna Summer’s has Kanye West been accused of using without permission?
A: Kanye West has been accused of using Donna Summer’s song “I Feel Love” without permission.

Q: What are Donna Summer’s estate seeking in damages?
A: Donna Summer’s estate is seeking $150,000 for each act of infringement in their lawsuit against Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign.

Q: Who is the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit filed by Donna Summer’s estate?
A: Bruce Sudano, Donna Summer’s husband, is the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit.

Q: Has “Good (Don’t Die)” been removed from Spotify, and if so, why?
A: Yes, “Good (Don’t Die)” has been pulled from Spotify, which may be related to the pending lawsuit against Kanye West for copyright infringement.

Conclusion:

The legal battle initiated by Donna Summer’s estate against Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign is another chapter in the ongoing narrative of artists defending their copyrighted material against unauthorized use. The determination of the estate to protect Summer’s musical legacy and dissociate from West’s controversial image highlights the complexities and the importance that legacy and artist’s rights have in the music industry. As the case progresses, it will serve as a significant example of the repercussions that artists may face when they do not adhere to the proper channels of copyright permissions.