Miley Cyrus Tests Copyright Transfer Rules in ‘Flowers’ Lawsuit

Miley Cyrus’ bid to kill a suit accusing her song “Flowers” of copying leans on a unique quirk in Ninth Circuit precedent that she argues limits who can bring copyright-infringement lawsuits.

Cyrus’ motion to dismiss allegations she ripped off Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man” is set for a hearing Jan. 27 in the US District Court for the Central District of California. Tempo Music Investments sued after buying a stake in Mars’ hit from one of the four songwriters. Cyrus argued that because Tempo purchased one cowriter’s share without the express consent of the others, it doesn’t have ...