The Script are suing James Arthur for alleged copyright infringement, because the Dublin band claim the British singer’s 2016 comeback single Say You Won’t Let Go is too similar to their song The Man Who Can’t Be Moved. Arthur has denied the claim.
US music industry publication Billboard reports that a lawsuit was filed against Arthur, his co-writers and a number of publishing companies in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday. Billboard erroneously described The Script – Danny O’Donoghue, Mark Sheehan and Glen Power – as a “British band”.
The lawsuit claims that Arthur’s Say You Won’t Let Go – a bigger hit around the world – has generated $20m in revenue and statutory damages are being sought.
The Script’s legal representatives want accounts on all revenue generated from Arthur’s song and the legal action to be heard before a jury.
The lawsuit alleges that former X Factor winner Arthur approached The Script with a view to collaborating in 2014 but was turned down.
The Script’s attorney, Richard Busch, previously represented the Marvin Gaye estate in its successful Blurred Lines copyright infringement lawsuit against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams.
Danny O’Donoghue and Mark Sheehan from The Script co-wrote The Man Who Can’t Be Moved with Andrew Frampton and Stephen Kipner, with the song appearing on the band’s 2008 debut album.
rte.ie
