Nickelback Should Win ‘Rockstar’ Copyright Suit, Magistrate Says

Nickelback should be allowed to shoot down a copyright infringement lawsuit by a Texas singer over their hit song “Rockstar,” a magistrate judge told the Western District of Texas.

Kirk Johnston, a member of Snowblind Revival, sued Nickelback and Warner/Chappell Music Inc. in 2020, claiming that Nickelback substantially copied his song “Rock Star,” which came out four years before the band’s 2005 hit.

Nickelback demonstrated that Johnston didn’t provide enough evidence of their access to his work, Magistrate Judge Susan Hightower said Wednesday in recommending a grant of summary judgment to Nickelback.

Johnston alleged that he sent a tape of ...