Legal Update on “Telekinesis” Copyright Case
Travis Scott, SZA, and Future are taking legal steps to dismiss a copyright lawsuit concerning their track “Telekinesis.” The lawsuit was initiated by gospel singer Victory Boyd, who claims that the trio duplicated her 2019 song “Like the Way It Sounds” without permission. However, the artists argue that they had authorization from Kanye West, who allegedly shared the song with them.
Lawsuit Details and Allegations
Victory Boyd filed her complaint in January, asserting that Scott, SZA, and Future knowingly copied her work. Despite her claims, Boyd has admitted to sharing her song with Kanye West, who produced a version titled “Ultrasounds” featuring Scott. Although this version was available on SoundCloud, it never had an official release. Eventually, Scott collaborated with Future and SZA, leading to the official release of “Telekinesis” on his 2023 album Utopia.
Defense Claims and Arguments
In the motion to dismiss, the artists’ lawyers assert that they had proper authorization for their use of Boyd’s song, attributing the creation of its core elements to West. The legal document states that West, being a co-author, had the right to grant permission for the use of the material.
Moreover, the legal team questions the validity of Boyd’s copyright registration for “Like the Way It Sounds.” They argue that when she filed for copyright in 2023, she falsely claimed to be the sole author, disregarding West’s contributions. This misrepresentation, the lawyers contend, invalidates her initial registration.
Additional Legal Considerations
The defense further points out that Boyd tried to amend her copyright registration to focus solely on the song’s lyrics, essentially treating them as a standalone work. However, the lawyers argue that the lyrics were created in conjunction with the music and cannot be copyrighted separately.
As the legal proceedings unfold, one must wonder: what will be the next steps for both sides in this high-profile copyright case?
