Lawsuit: Avril Lavigne is Being Sued for Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism
Posted July 11, 2007 — in Music News
Avril Lavigne has been in the press last month regarding the song GIRLFRIEND.
Avril is being sued for copyright infringement for allegedly plagiarizing a substantial part of “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend,” a song by ’70s new wave group the Rubinoos.
The debate spilled over at YouTube. You can view the song comparison here.
Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald who co-wrote GIRLFRIEND has lashed out at the plaintiffs — songwriters James Gangwer and original Rubinoos member Tommy Dunbar denying allegations that he and Lavigne “copied” “Boyfriend.”
“I never heard of the Rubinoos before the lawsuit,” said Gottwald, an in-demand producer who has crafted hits for Kelly Clarkson, Pink and Daughtry, among others. “I never heard of the song and neither has Avril. I would take a polygraph on that in front of them.”
This drama began with the June issue of Performing Songwriter magazine, in which Chantal Kreviazuk, who co-wrote much of Lavigne’s 2004 triple platinum-selling album “Under My Skin,” ridiculed the notion that Lavigne writes her own material.
Girlfriend” has sold 2.6 million copies worldwide
It’s also been noted that Avril Lavigne’s song ‘I Don’t Have To Try’ that comes off her new album The Best Damn Thing sounds identical to the track I’m The Kinda by a Canadian artist known as Peaches. Song comparison here.
Is it a coincidence? or a perfect crime?
(LA Times)
Luke is lying, Avril’s telling the truth. How can that be? Luke wrote the hook, and Avril has no idea it is REALLY a lift.
Comment by randy — July 11, 2007 @ 11:39 am
It seems that Avril’s team is obfuscating the issue by claiming that they never heard of The Rubinoos. The REAL issue is whether they’d heard (i.e. in copyright parlance “had ACCESS to”), and thus subsequently copied, that particular song.
Prediction: this will be settled within months and we’ll hardly even notice or remember the incident — mainly because the terms of the settlement agreement will be confidential.
Nevertheless, what little credibility Avril and her team had as songwriters is permanently tarnished no matter what the outcome of the litigation. For evidence, check out the last couple weeks worth of rants on Avril over at Perez Hilton.
Comment by Aaron — July 11, 2007 @ 12:52 pm
1. Bee Gee’s how deep is your love
2.Vanhalen Jump
3.George Harrison’s Mysweet lord
this is not new.seems the big stars go through this.
hey wasn’t to far off read that Avril is at 2 million.6 in sales…god bless the little children.
Comment by larry anderson — July 11, 2007 @ 4:25 pm
The song “girlfriend” is incredibly typical. I’m not at all surprised this happened. When I first heard the song, I couldn’t stand it because the beat and the chorus were both unoriginal.
Comment by annie — July 11, 2007 @ 6:39 pm
Theres only so many catchy and basic pop melodies. I could easily see how many people could come up with the same hook. The Rubinoos? Come on..
Comment by D — July 13, 2007 @ 5:36 am
When I first read about this whole situation, Avrils management interestingly enough said they would most likely settle out of court, which to me means they aren’t confident enough in the songwriters involved(and I will give as much credit to Avril for “girlfriend” as I will too Vanilla Ice for coming up with the beat for “Ice Ice Baby” as far as songwriting goes) to prove they’ve never had access to the rubinoos song.
Comment by thedrummingpuma — July 15, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
Avril Lavigne should not be sued for something so stupid!!! I mean, what the heck, it’s obvious she’s telling the truth! If you are against Avril then, well, you shouldn’t be. I know other singers that have the same tunes as some other songs do and their not being sued, so why should Avril? All I’m saying is that out of all my time that I’ve listened to this song she’s never been sued, so why is she being sued now?
Comment by Brittany — July 24, 2007 @ 8:22 am
i dont think avril should be sued because that song doesnt even sound like the old version. why would she steal an oldie? there is just one part in her song that everyone if freaking out over it is just some words big deal what does it matter.
Comment by Caitlin — July 25, 2007 @ 3:25 am
the only words that are the same in both songs are “hey hey you you” and the songs are not like eachother in any other way. my opinion is avril did not steal that song, but on the other hand don’t you think the “hey hey you you” from “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend,” by Rubinoos sounds alot like the “hey hey you you” from “get off of my cloud” by the rolling stones???
Comment by kyle — August 16, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
avril alvigne shouldnt be sued just because 4 words r the same !people make a huge deal about ! avril lavigne is 1 ov my fave singers and i hate that she is being sued for ,4words that r the same.people i mean come on she hates im sure its happened to other songs and the singers have nt been sued !+can people see that clearly avril is so totally telling the truth right !i bet that if i put my hand up half of the world would say that avril shouldnt be sued right!!!!!!!well thatswhat i have to say…………
Comment by sara — August 29, 2007 @ 3:35 pm