Sleigh Bells suing Demi Lovato for copyright infringement

Sleigh Bells are suing pop star Demi Lovato, claiming that her song “Stars” used elements of Sleigh Bells’ “Infinity Guitars” without permission. The duo first alleged Lovato ripped them off last November on Twitter but Lovato’s producers denied it, also adding that she was not involved in the song’s production. From the official complaint (via LA Times):

A comparison of the two songs reveals that, at the very least, the combination of the hand claps and bass drum, structured as 3 quarter beats and a rest, with the bass drum providing a counter-rhythm to the hand claps, is at least substantially similar in both works. This infringing material repeats throughout the Defendants’ song.

It goes on to say the similarities “transcend the realm of coincidence or shared generic material, and inform the very essence of the works.” Sleigh Bells are seeking $150,000, which is the maximum allowable amount to be paid in damages, as well as recuperated legal fees, and “a permanent injunction prohibiting the reproduction, distribution, sale, public performance or other use or exploitation of ‘Infinity Guitars’ by Defendants.” You can compare and contrast the handclaps and bass drum patterns for each song below and form your own opinion.