A Lawsuit Accuses Lady Gaga Of Stealing ‘Shallow’ From A Soundcloud Singer

Last month Katy Perry was ordered to pay $2.7 million to Christian rapper Flame, after a jury ruled that she had taken a six note sequence from his song ‘Joyful Noise.’ This may create more cases against high profile singers going to court successfully. 

Lady Gaga is the subject of a lawsuit alleging that she plagiarised a Soundcloud singer-songwriter, Steve Ronsen, for her massive song ‘Shallow’ which she sang with Bradly Cooper in A Star Is Born. His claim is that the hook of ‘Shallow’ is based on just a similar three-note progression- G, A,B from his 2012 song, ‘Almost.’ 

Rosen who is backed up by “a renowned and respected musicologist and professor who determined that there are significant tempo, melodic, rhythmic, and harmonic similarities between the two hooks of the songs at issue.” He is reportedly asking for millions. Before its publicity was boosted by the case, ‘Almost’ apparently had less than 300 streams.

Gaga’s team has branded the lawsuit a “brazen shakedown” while her lawyer, Orin Snyder, adds: “Mr Rosen and his lawyer are trying to make easy money off the back of a successful artist. It is shameful and wrong.” 

“I applaud Lady Gaga for having the courage and integrity to stand up on behalf of successful artists who find themselves on the receiving end of such (claims). Should Mr.Shirian (Rosen’s attorney) proceed with the case, Lady Gaga will fight it vigorously and will prevail.” 

This is not the first time Lady Gaga has been accused of copyright infringement, she was sued unsuccessfully by the French artist Orlan for her imagery in ‘Born this way’ video. Artnet reports that Orlan ended up paying the singer and Universal $18,000 in fees. 

Next up, Katy Perry & Co Writers Owe $278 Million For “Dark Horse” Lawsuit Loss