As the calendar will (alarmingly, repeatedly) remind you, November began yesterday. Just in time for the commencement of the post-Halloween holiday season, Mariah Carey's copyright infringement lawsuit over the foremost modern-day merriment masterpiece "All I Want for Christmas Is You" has been dropped.
Songwriter Andy Stone filed the suit in June. He claimed that he had co-written a song of the same title, five years ahead of the one we all know and love's appearance on Carey's 1994 Merry Christmas album — although song titles generally don't fall within the protection of copyright law. (There are also reportedly some 177 copyrighted songs called "All I Want for Christmas Is You," including ones released prior to Stone's, but who's counting?)
The plaintiff alleged that Carey and co-writer Walter Afanasieff would have heard his 1989 Vince Vance and the Valiants tune due to its "extensive airplay" over the 1993 holiday season, leading them to pen a "derivative" track. He was seeking $20 million USD in damages.
Obtained by Rolling Stone, court documents serendipitously filed yesterday (November 1) see Stone's legal team file to dismiss his case against the pop star "in its entirety, without prejudice." This means the plaintiff's option to refile at a later date remains.
But for now, as the angel tree-topper herself put it, it's time.
Songwriter Andy Stone filed the suit in June. He claimed that he had co-written a song of the same title, five years ahead of the one we all know and love's appearance on Carey's 1994 Merry Christmas album — although song titles generally don't fall within the protection of copyright law. (There are also reportedly some 177 copyrighted songs called "All I Want for Christmas Is You," including ones released prior to Stone's, but who's counting?)
The plaintiff alleged that Carey and co-writer Walter Afanasieff would have heard his 1989 Vince Vance and the Valiants tune due to its "extensive airplay" over the 1993 holiday season, leading them to pen a "derivative" track. He was seeking $20 million USD in damages.
Obtained by Rolling Stone, court documents serendipitously filed yesterday (November 1) see Stone's legal team file to dismiss his case against the pop star "in its entirety, without prejudice." This means the plaintiff's option to refile at a later date remains.
But for now, as the angel tree-topper herself put it, it's time.
Last week, Carey announced holiday concerts in Toronto and New York.
