Lizzo Settles Copyright Lawsuit Over Unreleased Track Referencing Sydney Sweeney
Lizzo has reached a settlement in a copyright lawsuit stemming from her unreleased song, “I’m Goin’ Til October,” which contained a lyric referencing actress Sydney Sweeney’s controversial American Eagle advertisement. The case highlights the increasing complexities of copyright law in the age of social media and viral content, where even snippets of music can trigger legal challenges.
The Lawsuit and Allegations
The lawsuit, filed in October 2025 by GRC Trust, alleged that Lizzo’s unreleased track incorporated elements – both instrumental and vocal – from Sam Dees’ song “Win or Lose (We Tried).” The claim centered on unauthorized use of copyrighted material, even though “I’m Goin’ Til October” was never officially released on streaming platforms or otherwise commercially exploited.
The lyrics in question, shared in a now-deleted video, included the lines, “No kizzy, he ain’t got no business being wiht me / Fat a, pretty face with the titties / Bch, I got good genes, like I’m Sydney,” a clear nod to Sweeney’s appearance in an American Eagle campaign. GRC Trust sought both financial damages and an injunction to prevent further exploitation of the allegedly infringing song. Rolling Stone frist reported the settlement agreement.
The Meaning of Unreleased Music and copyright
This case is especially noteworthy as it underscores that copyright protection isn’t limited to commercially released music. As Rap-Up pointed out in its initial coverage, even short clips or snippets of a song shared online can be subject to copyright claims. This has significant implications for artists who share works-in-progress or previews on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter).
“We are surprised that the GRC Trust filed this lawsuit,” Lizzo’s representatives stated previously. “to be clear, the song has never been commercially released or monetized, and no decision has been made at this time regarding any future commercial release of the song.” This statement highlights the evolving legal landscape surrounding digital content and the rights of copyright holders.
Understanding Copyright and Fair Use
Copyright law grants exclusive rights to creators for their original works, including musical compositions and recordings. these rights include the ability to reproduce, distribute, display, and perform the work. However, there are exceptions to copyright protection, such as “fair use,” which allows limited use of copyrighted material for purposes like criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. Determining whether a particular use qualifies as fair use is often a complex legal analysis.
In Lizzo’s case, the argument likely revolved around whether the use of elements from “Win or Lose (We Tried)” constituted a considerable enough similarity to be considered infringement, and whether any potential fair use defenses applied. the settlement suggests both parties reached a conclusion that avoided a potentially lengthy and costly court battle.
Lizzo’s Recent Activities and future Projects
Despite the legal challenge, Lizzo remains active in the music scene and continues to connect with her fans. She recently announced her debut performance at the houston Rodeo on March 6 for black Heritage Day, playfully referencing a previous attempt in 2020 that was thwarted by unforeseen circumstances. “Last time we tried this,it was March 2020,and I think y’all know what happened then,” she shared on Instagram. “But that’s the funny thing about second chances: a b**ch gonna always bounce back.”
lizzo is currently enjoying success with her mixtape, MY FACE HURTS FROM SMILING, which includes collaborations with artists like SZA and Doja Cat. The deluxe edition of the mixtape, released last September, features the track “YITTY ON YO TITTYS (FREESTYLE).”
Looking Ahead
The settlement in this case serves as a reminder to artists and content creators to be mindful of copyright laws,even when dealing with unreleased material. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the legal framework surrounding copyright will likely adapt to address new challenges and opportunities.This case also highlights the importance of clearing samples and obtaining necessary licenses to avoid potential legal disputes. For Lizzo, this resolution allows her to move forward with her career and continue delivering the music her fans love.
