Understanding the Tempo Music Investments LLC v. Cyrus Case

In the world of music, disputes over song similarities are not uncommon. A recent case, Tempo Music Investments LLC v. Cyrus, sheds light on how copyright ownership and infringement claims work, especially when multiple people are involved in creating a song. Let’s break down this case in simple terms.

Background of the Case:

• The Songs in Question: Bruno Mars released a song in 2013 titled “When I Was Your Man.” In 2023, Miley Cyrus released a song called “Flowers.” Tempo Music Investments LLC, a company that invests in music rights, believes that “Flowers” copies parts of “When I Was Your Man.”

• Ownership Details: Philip Lawrence co-wrote “When I Was Your Man” with Bruno Mars. Lawrence sold his share of the song’s rights to Tempo Music Investments LLC. This means Tempo now owns part of the rights to “When I Was Your Man.”

The Legal Issue:

Tempo Music Investments sued Miley Cyrus and her co-writers, claiming that “Flowers” infringes on their rights to “When I Was Your Man.” The defendants (Cyrus and her team) argued that Tempo didn’t have the right to sue because they only bought part of the song’s rights, not the whole thing. They believed that without owning all the rights or getting permission from all original songwriters, Tempo couldn’t take legal action.

Court’s Decision:

The court disagreed with the defendants. It stated that when Philip Lawrence sold his share to Tempo, Tempo stepped into his shoes. This means Tempo has the same rights Lawrence had, including the right to sue for infringement. The court emphasized that co-owners of a song can transfer their rights without needing approval from the other co-owners. So, Tempo didn’t need permission from Bruno Mars or other co-writers to sue.

Why This Matters:

This case highlights that owning a portion of a song’s rights gives the owner the ability to protect those rights, even without full ownership. It ensures that parts of a song can be defended legally, which is crucial for companies and individuals who invest in music rights.