“Only Owners of Exclusive Rights May Sue”: Miley Cyrus Refutes Plagiarism Allegations Over Hit Song Flowers

Miley Cyrus has pushed back against allegations of plagiarism concerning her chart-topping single Flowers. The 30-year-old singer is defending herself against a copyright lawsuit filed by Tempo Music Investments, a partial copyright holder of Bruno Mars’ 2013 hit When I Was Your Man.

According to documents obtained by People, Tempo Music Investments initiated the lawsuit after acquiring a portion of the song’s rights through the catalog of co-writer Philip Lawrence. However, the company has no connection to the track’s other co-writers, Ari Levine and Andrew Wyatt.

In response, Cyrus’ legal team filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that Tempo lacks the authority to pursue the claim. “Only owners of exclusive rights may sue for copyright infringement,” Cyrus’ attorneys stated. “An assignee of only one co-author lacks exclusive rights and, therefore, also lacks standing to sue for infringement.”

The lawsuit, filed on September 16, alleged “striking similarities” between Flowers and When I Was Your Man. It claimed that Cyrus’ 2023 hit “duplicates numerous melodic, harmonic, and lyrical elements” of Mars’ song. One specific claim stated that “the opening vocal line from the chorus of Flowers begins and ends on the same chords as the opening vocal line in the verse of When I Was Your Man.”

Tempo Music Investments sought to prohibit the further reproduction, distribution, or public performance of Flowers and demanded an unspecified amount of damages. Cyrus’ legal team maintains that the claims are unfounded and that the partial ownership of When I Was Your Man does not grant Tempo Music Investments the exclusive rights required to sue for copyright infringement.

This case underscores the complexities of copyright law, particularly in situations where multiple co-writers hold stakes in a song. As Cyrus continues to defend her work, the legal battle raises questions about how ownership rights and creative influence intersect in the music industry.

Despite the lawsuit, Flowers remains a standout hit of 2023, earning praise for its empowering lyrics and catchy melody. For now, Cyrus and her team appear confident in their defense, asserting that the claims against her lack the legal foundation to proceed.