Taylor Swift’s “Lover” broke records, becoming the top-selling album of 2019 in its first week. Three years later, Swift is facing a copyright infringement lawsuit over the book that accompanied her album.
Author Teresa La Dart, whose book “Lover” was published in 2010, filed a lawsuit in the Western District of Tennessee against Swift on Tuesday, claiming that the singer-songwriter stole the book’s title as well as several of its creative elements.
La Dart alleges that Swift’s book has substantially the same format and front and back covers as hers as well as a “similarly styled ‘Lover’ title” and similar color scheme of pastel pinks and blues, according to the complaint.
La Dart is suing Swift for damages in excess of $1 million, claiming that she has been “irreparably harmed” and suffered both actual and statutory damages.
This is far from Swift’s first run-in with copyright infringement allegations. She is currently fighting accusations regarding her hit song “Shake it Off” by two members of the band 3LW, who claim that her lyric “players gonna play” is too similar to their song “Playas Gon’ Play.” Swift successfully defended herself against similar claims by R&B and soul artist Jesse Graham over the same song.
The case is La Dart v. Swift et al, W.D. Tenn., No. 2:22-cv-02552, 8/23/22.
Cause of Action: Copyright infringement.
Relief: Damages in excess of $1 million, actual damages, profits from infringement or statutory damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs.
Response: A representative for Swift was not immediately available for comment.
Attorneys: La Dart is represented by William Stuart Parks.
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