Judge Sends Sam Smith and Normani Copyright Dispute to Jury Trial
A federal judge refused to dismiss a four-year lawsuit claiming the 2019 hit 'Dancing With a Stranger' copied a 2015 song by Jordan Vincent. Smith and Normani argue they never heard the earlier track and that similarities are coincidental, but the judge ruled that the question of independent creation must be decided by a jury. The case is set for a rare trial unless a settlement is reached.
The dispute began in March 2022 when three songwriters filed suit claiming their 2015 composition "Dancing" bore striking resemblance to the later Smith-Normani collaboration. Judge Hsu initially dismissed the case in 2023, but an appellate panel revived it, determining the works were sufficiently similar to warrant further examination.
A significant development came when the plaintiffs acknowledged having no proof that Smith, Normani, or their collaborators ever encountered the earlier recording. That admission shifted the legal strategy toward demonstrating that the similarities were so pronounced that copying must have occurred regardless. With the song having spent 45 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, the financial stakes are considerable, and the case now heads toward a jury trial unless the parties negotiate a settlement beforehand.
This case could influence how the music industry approaches songwriting and collaboration. If the jury finds for the plaintiffs, it may embolden more copyright claims against major artists, potentially making labels more cautious about releasing songs with even coincidental similarities to lesser-known tracks. Conversely, a defense victory could reinforce the independent creation defense, protecting artists from speculative lawsuits. The outcome may also affect how songwriters document their creative processes, as the lack of direct evidence of access proved central to this dispute.