© AP/ Elton John
Elton John's 'Nikita' lawsuit thrown out of court
Nov. 4, 2012, 5:17 AM EST
WENN
A copyright infringement lawsuit filed against Elton John and his longtime
songwriting partner Bernie Taupin over their hit song "Nikita" has been thrown
out of court.
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Photojournalist/songwriter Guy Hobbs launched legal action
in April, claiming Elton's 1985 track was a copy of his own tune "Natasha,"
which he wrote three years earlier and had allegedly sent to executives at music
publishing firm Big Pig - the company which handles the Rocket Man's songs.
The defendants moved to have the lawsuit dismissed in August, insisting the
motion was "completely meritless" - and a Chicago judge has agreed.
Judge Amy St. Eve ruled that both songs shared similar themes and phrases,
but that these were prevalent in modern music.
She added, "Moreover, phrases and themes that are common, trite, or cliched
are not protected under copyright laws."
