Dua Lipa Settles Copyright Lawsuit Over 'Levitating' Talk Box Performance
Musician Bosko Kante and Dua Lipa resolve legal dispute regarding unauthorized remix usage.
1Legal Dispute Resolution
Dua Lipa has officially settled a copyright infringement and breach of contract lawsuit with producer Bosko Kante. The legal action centered on the hit song Levitating. Court documents filed on Monday, November 9, confirmed the case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the litigation cannot be refiled by the plaintiff in the future.
2Terms Remain Confidential
The specific details of the settlement agreement, including potential monetary damages or adjustments to song credits, were not publicly disclosed by either party. Both sides have agreed to cover their own legal costs and attorney fees. This resolution effectively concludes the ongoing dispute between Kante, Lipa, and Warner Records regarding the track.
3The Talk Box Claim
Bosko Kante, a specialist in talk box voice modulation, originally filed the suit in 2023. He alleged that while he was hired to perform for the original 2020 version of Levitating, the licensing agreement did not extend to subsequent remixes. These remixes, including a version featuring DaBaby, became significant commercial successes globally.
4Artist Contribution Value
Na’il Benjamin, representing Kante, stated that the resolution benefits artists collaborating with large record labels. He emphasized that proper credit and compensation for creative contributions remain essential for musicians. The settlement is framed as a recognition of Kante’s specific technical work on the song’s unique talk box performance and overall production.
5History of Legal Challenges
The Levitating track faced multiple legal challenges since its release. Previous lawsuits were filed by the band Artikal Sound System and songwriters L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer. Unlike the Kante case, those lawsuits were dismissed by judges who ruled that the plaintiffs failed to prove copyright infringement or sufficient musical similarity.
6Judicial Precedent Set
In the Artikal Sound System case, a judge ruled the band failed to prove Lipa had ever heard their song Live Your Life. Similarly, the suit involving Wiggle and Giggle All Night was dismissed because the court found insufficient similarity to warrant a trial. Kante’s case stands as the only one settled.
7Industry Impact Analysis
This settlement highlights the complexities of licensing agreements in the modern music industry, particularly regarding remixes. As songs are frequently repurposed for various digital formats, the scope of original contracts often becomes a point of contention. Kante’s success in reaching a settlement underscores the importance of clearly defining usage rights during production.
8Future Legal Implications
While this specific case is now closed, it serves as a reminder of the risks associated with multi-version song releases. Artists and labels must ensure that licensing agreements explicitly cover all derivative works to avoid future litigation. The resolution provides a framework for how similar disputes might be handled in the future.