Courts / Ireland / Report

Musician who claims he wrote song on U2 album says he wants Supreme Court appeal

Date
2023-04-19
Stage
Appeal

Summary

Maurice Kiely, a musician who claims he wrote the song "A Man and A Woman" in 1998, is suing U2 Ltd, the company linked to the band, over its inclusion of the track on the 2004 album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. He alleges that he performed the song for model Cindy Crawford and that U2 used it without permission, seeking €12 million in damages. U2 Ltd denies the claim, stating the lyrics were written by Bono (Paul Hewson) and the music by all four band members. In a preliminary motion, Judge Brian O'Moore dismissed Kiely's request to compel U2 to answer pre‑trial interrogatories, ruling the questions were inappropriate and unrelated to the case. Kiely intends to appeal that decision to the Supreme Court, while the judge set a timetable for the parties to exchange legal papers and adjourned the matter to July for further review.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Musician who claims he wrote song on U2 album says he wants Supreme Court appeal. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Case subjects

Maurice Kiely

Applicant

Outcome: The judge then adjourned the matter to a date in July, when "we can see where we are".

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Supreme Court
  • Court of Appeal
  • High Court

Topics

Stage Appeal

Read the original CNI report

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