LOS ANGELES – A New York music group alleges Demi Lovato's song "Stars" used a portion of its song "Infinity Guitars" without its permission.
Derek E. Miller and Sydney Alexis Krauss collectively doing business as Sleigh Bells, filed a complaint on Aug. 22 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Demetria Lovato; UMG Recordings Inc., doing business as Island Records; Carl Falk; Rami Yacoub; and Does 1 through 10 alleging copyright infringement.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that they suffered damages from having parts of their copyrighted song used without their permission. They allege "Stars" uses similar combination of hand claps and bass drum, as well as some similar sonic qualities. The plaintiffs hold the defendants responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to notify the plaintiffs regarding using parts of their song to create "Stars."
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek permanent injunction against the defendants, statutory damages, actual damages, compensatory damages, accounting and the imposition of a constructive trust over any revenues or benefits derived from the wrongful practice, injunctive relief, restitutionary damages, interest, all legal fees and any other relief as the court deems just. They are represented by Stephen M. Doniger, Scott Alan Burroughs and Trevor W. Barrett of Doniger/Burroughs in Venice.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California Case number 2:16-cv-06272