Lawsuit Over
Lawsuit Over Karol G Tiësto Song Dismissed With Harsh Critique. The lawsuit claiming Karol G and Tiësto’s 2021 dance hit “Don’t Be Shy” copied a 2000 song by Cuban-American songwriter Rene Lorente was dismissed by a federal judge in Florida. The judge’s ruling was scathing toward Lorente’s chosen expert, former Capitol Records A&R exec Richie Viera, who was deemed unqualified and unreliable. Without a credible expert report, Lorente’s case collapsed, leading to the dismissal of his $50 million claim.
Expert Failed To Prove Substantial Similarity Or Access
In copyright infringement cases, plaintiffs must show direct copying or prove the defendants had access to the original work plus substantial similarity between the songs. Lorente did not provide any proof of direct copying, so his case depended heavily on Viera’s expert testimony. However, the judge noted that Viera “declined” to define basic musicology terms during his deposition and “misidentified the chords and keys” of both songs. The judge also criticized Viera for ignoring “prior art” — earlier songs that contained similar musical elements — which is a fundamental step in assessing music similarity. ## Streaming Numbers Were Too Low To Prove Access. Lorente argued that “Algo Diferente” was available on streaming platforms, claiming this as proof Tiësto and Karol G had access to his song. But the judge pointed out that as of June 2022, “Algo Diferente” had only 670 plays on YouTube and 2, 718 plays on Spotify. The judge wrote that “no reasonable jury could find access on such a record, ” emphasizing the song’s obscurity and lack of commercial traction. ## Industry Lawyer Says Lawsuit Had No Merit. Karol G and Tiësto’s lead attorney James Sammataro told Rolling Stone the lawsuit “had no merit.” He highlighted that the plaintiff’s song was self-distributed and “obscure, ” with no commercial success or evidence the artists had heard it. Sammataro also explained that the alleged similarities were based on the “circle of fifths, ” a common musical building block dating back centuries, including to Mozart’s time. This point resonated with fans who chimed in on social media, with one tweeting, “You can’t copyright the circle of fifths, come on!”
Fan Reactions Highlight Music Industry Challenges
Fans and industry watchers noted how difficult it is for lesser-known artists to win against major stars backed by deep-pocketed labels. One fan commented, “It’s tough seeing indie artists fight giants, but courts need solid proof, not shaky expert opinions.” Another added, “The judge really went after that expert like a pro—musicology 101, people!” Meanwhile, Lorente’s lawyer plans to appeal, arguing that musicians of modest means face “significantly high barriers” when challenging industry heavyweights. ## Don’t Be Shy Was A Major Hit For Karol G Tiësto. “Don’t Be Shy” was the second single from Tiësto’s seventh studio album Drive and marked Karol G’s first major English-language release. The song soared to Number Four on Billboard’s Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, cementing its status as a mainstream dance hit. Despite the lawsuit drama, the track remains a fan favorite, proving that sometimes, the music truly speaks louder than legal battles.
