Copyright controversy surrounds Miley Cyrus's hit song 'Flowers'
American singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus has been slapped with a copyright infringement lawsuit over her 2023 hit Grammy-winning song Flowers. The 31-year-old is accused of copying parts of Bruno Mars's 2013 chart-topping song When I Was Your Man. However, interestingly, it is not Mars who has sued Cyrus, but Tempo Music Investments, according to a report in TMZ. Here are more details on this.
'Flowers' would not exist without 'When I Was Your Man...'
In the lawsuit, Tempo Music accused Cyrus of "intentionally copying" Mars's song in Flowers due to the significant similarities between the two tracks. The investment company alleges that Cyrus's song features a similar melody and harmonies to When I Was Your Man, both in the verses and in the chorus. Tempo also claims that some of the song's lyrics are similar.
Tempo Music seeks damages, ban on 'Flowers's distribution
Tempo Music is seeking damages from Cyrus, although the exact amount has not been specified. The company is also requesting that Cyrus and her label be barred from distributing Flowers. This could potentially involve removing the song from digital and future physical versions of her 2023 album Endless Summer Vacation. The firm has further requested that Cyrus be prohibited from performing the song live.
Tempo Music claims ownership of Mars's song copyright
In the lawsuit obtained by Rolling Stone, Tempo Music also said, "With Flowers, Cyrus, Hein, and Pollack have created a derivative work of When I Was Your Man without authorization." Tempo Music has reportedly filed the lawsuit after taking control of part of the song's copyright. In 2021, Mars had sold a portion of his song catalog to Warner Music Group, which had invested in Tempo Music Group.
Both songs topped Billboard Hot 100 singles chart
Both Flowers and When I Was Your Man were successful hits for Cyrus and Mars, respectively, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. While Mars's song was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards in 2014, Cyrus's track won Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. It was also nominated for Song of the Year.
