Courts / Louth / Report

Songwriter claims One Direction infringed copyright with 'Night Changes'

Date
2019-02-07
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Drogheda
County
Louth

Summary

Mr David Lewis Smith has brought a copyright infringement claim in the High Court against the members of One Direction, former member Zain Malik, UK songwriter Jamie Scott, US songwriters Julian Bunetta and John Ryan, and several music publishing companies. He alleges that the 2014 One Direction single "Night Changes" infringes his musical work. Smith's solicitors, Smyth & Son, seek damages and various discovery orders. They request documents related to the composition, writing, and earlier drafts of the song, as well as records of sound recordings, alternative versions, performance, sale, distribution, publication, downloads, and worldwide earnings. The defendants, represented by Gleeson, McGrath, Baldwin Solicitors and Matheson Solicitors, deny the allegations. A pre‑trial motion was listed before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds, and the case is set to return to court in early March. No parties were present at the hearing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Songwriter claims One Direction infringed copyright with 'Night Changes'. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Case subjects

David Lewis Smith

Applicant

Night Changes

Applicant

One Direction

Applicant

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • High Court
Residence

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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