Disney Settles Lawsuit With Songwriter Over ‘Frozen II’ Track
A copyright suit against the Walt Disney Company and Frozen II composers Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez was dismissed today after the two sides reached a settlement.
A joint stipulation for dismissal with prejudice was granted in the US District Court for the Central District of California.
Photo: Disney
Neither party commented on any of the details of the resolution.
How We Got Here
Musician Daniel Grigson originally filed the copyright infringement suit over the song “Some Things Never Change” from Frozen II.
In his suit, the songwriter alleged that “Some Things Never Change” copied the chord progressions, melodic structure, and even some of the lyrics from his 1999 song “That Girl.” He also alleged that “certain sounds were re-recorded or re-played” from his song.
Photo: LinkedIn. Songwriter Daniel Grigson.
Grigson said that the similarities between the two songs were so noticeable that the Frozen II track “caught him off guard” while watching the film in theaters with his wife and children.
“His 11-year-old daughter leaned over to him and said ‘Dad, Disney took your song,'” the lawsuit noted.
Photo: Disney
According to TMZ, Grigson hired an analyst to compare the two tracks. The expert found that the songs not only sounded alike but were similar on a “technical level.”
In his suit, Grigson was seeking profits made from the song, and for the company to stop using the track.
Disney and Grigson Reach Agreement
With the lawsuit now resolved, it appears that Disney and Grigson have reached a compromise.
Photo: Disney
While details of the resolution were kept sealed, I would bet my bottom Disney dollar that the company will not stop using “Some Things Never Change.”
Hear The Two Songs
If you want to hear “That Girl” and “Some Things Never Change” and compare the tracks for yourself, have at it!
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