In March 2025, Mariah Carey successfully defeated a US copyright infringement case over her hit 1994 single, “All I Want for Christmas is You”. Judge Almadani held that Carey’s track, and Vince Vance’s (“Vance”) 1989 song with the same title, “All I Want for Christmas is You”, were not substantially similar, noting differences in the melody, lyrics and musical elements.
The claim had stated that Carey had copied the lyrical and musical elements of Vance’s track, seeking a minimum of US$20 million in damages. Carey’s lawyers argued that the similarities claimed were a combination of the similar song title and hook, which were common Christmas tropes surrounding snow, mistletoe, Santa Clause and the desire to be loved during the holidays. Carey’s claim was further supported by two musicologist reports, in which one testified that at least 19 songs predating Vance’s song had similar lyrical ideas, and there were no significant melodic similarities.
Despite Vance’s attempts, the Judge ruled in favour of the motion to dismiss, and also ordered that he repay Carey’s legal bills incurred in defending the case as a result of filing “frivolous” arguments.
Whilst the case lies in the US, it highlights the complexities in copyright disputes, especially works that have become an integral part of cultural traditions, such as holiday songs. While artists have the right to protect their original creations, the court’s decision here demonstrates the importance of distinguishing between general and shared themes, as opposed to specific and original expressions. This judgment also serves as a reminder of the challenges, and financial risks, of proving infringement claims.
As demonstrated in other copyright cases involving musical works, such as Dua Lipa’s successful dismissal of a lawsuit accusing her of copying her hit "Levitating" from two other songs, and Ed Sheeran’s victory against Marvin Gaye’s estate over the song "Thinking Out Loud," the judiciary has played a crucial role in blocking copyright claims aimed at targeting successful works.
If you have any further questions or require any assistance, we would be more than happy to help. Please contact Noor Masad by email at [javascript protected email address].
The information on this site about legal matters is provided as a general guide only. Although we try to ensure that all of the information on this site is accurate and up to date, this cannot be guaranteed. The information on this site should not be relied upon or construed as constituting legal advice and Howes Percival LLP disclaims liability in relation to its use. You should seek appropriate legal advice before taking or refraining from taking any action.
To contact us, please fill out this form and we will get back in touch as soon as possible. Your personal data will be processed in accordance with our privacy policy which can be found here.
Thank you for your enquiry. We will respond as soon as possible.
