A federal judge indicated Friday that he would reject Sam Smith and Normani’s attempt to dismiss a copyright infringement lawsuit involving their popular track “Dancing With a Stranger.” The case centers on claims by songwriter Jordan Vincent that the artists’ multi-platinum hit incorporates elements from his 2015 song of the same name without permission.
U.S. District Court Judge Wesley L. Hsu stated he would deny the defendants’ motion for summary judgment, allowing expert testimony from Vincent’s legal team to proceed. The judge acknowledged that while he disagreed with certain expert conclusions, those determinations should ultimately rest with a jury rather than the court. He noted that Vincent must now meet a higher legal standard, demonstrating the songs are “strikingly similar” rather than merely substantially alike.
Attorneys for Smith and Normani argued the alleged musical similarities consisted of common industry elements and pointed out that Vincent’s original composition contained unauthorized samples from earlier works. They contended copyright protection should not extend to portions incorporating unlicensed material. Vincent’s legal counsel countered that the dispute fundamentally involves musicological analysis, a matter appropriate for jury consideration.
The lawsuit was originally filed in 2022, dismissed in 2023, and subsequently revived on appeal. Judge Hsu indicated he would issue a written ruling at a later date, effectively moving the case toward trial proceedings.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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