Mariah Carey sued for copyright over her Christmas hit song

In Summary
  • The hit song is dubbed “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” .
  • The complainant says Carey  intentionally engaged in a campaign to infringe his copyright.
Courtesy photo
Courtesy photo

American singer Mariah Carey was sued in the United States for alleged copyright infringement over her global hit song titled “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” .

On Friday 3rd June 2022 the complainant, a musician named Andy Stone filed a case alleging that Carey and her co-writer Walter Afanasieff knowingly, wilfully, and intentionally engaged in a campaign to infringe his copyright.

Stone who performs under the name Vince Vance with the band Vince Vance and the Valiants explained that he co-wrote a song with the same name five years earlier,(1989) and never gave permission for it to be used, he therefore argued that Ms Carey exploited his popularity and style.

Though the songs share the same tittle, they  musically appear different but Stone noted that Carey caused confusion and did not ask for permission ,he claims at least $20m (£16m) in damages.

He added that Carey, as well as her co-writer Walter Afanasieff and record label Sony Music Entertainment, have earned undeserved profits from the song.

The complaint says Stone’s lawyers first contacted Carey and her co-defendants in 2021 but were "unable to come to any agreement".

Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You appeared on her album dubbed Merry Christmas in 1994  but since then  it’s a must have on any Christmas play list.

 It has topped the charts in several countries and by 2017 had reportedly earned Ms Carey more than $60m (£48m) in royalties.

Meanwhile it is common for different songs to have the same name  and the United States Copyright Office lists 177 entries on its website under the title All I Want for Christmas is You.