A federal judge in Los Angeles determined that Mariah Carey had not plagiarized the iconic holiday hit from other songwriters, “I want you for Christmas.”
On Wednesday, Judge Monica Ramirez Armadani granted Carrie and her co-author and co-defendant Walter Afanasiev a summary judgment that resolves the case without the need for trial.
The two songwriters claim that they sought $20 million in damages, and portrayed someone who shared a unique theme and refused a material gift in favor of being with a loved one expressed in a letter to Santa.
Stone and Powers claimed that there was a carry of “overwhelming possibilities” and that Afanasiev had heard their songs.
After reviewing expert testimony from both sides, Judge Ramirez Armadani sided Carey’s defense. She determined that both songs adopted a common Christmas theme and cliche that predated either piece, and used Carrie’s songs in a clear way.
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The judge ruled that the plaintiff could not prove that there was substantial similarity between the two songs.
Ramirez Armadani also ordered sanctions against the plaintiff and his attorneys, saying their case and subsequent applications were frivolous and that the plaintiff’s attorney “made no reasonable efforts to ensure that the de facto claims had proof support.”
For this reason, the judge ordered that at least some of Carrie’s legal costs be covered.
Gerald P. Fox, a lawyer for Stone and Powers, said in an email that he was disappointed by the judge’s decision.
Fox said it was his experience that judges at this level “almost always have to dismiss the music copyright case and sue the ju judges by turning them around.”
“My clients will soon decide whether to appeal or not. We submitted it based on the opinions of two respected musicologists who teach at a great university,” Fox said.
Carrie’s song has grown in popularity since its release 31 years ago, and has become a staple Christmas season song. For the past six years, we’ve put the Billboard Hot 100 on top every year. It also came to the top notch among holiday-themed charts, but also through airplay, sales and streaming.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
