`XOXO’ and `XO’ Aren’t Similar, Bey Doesn’t Infringe

There is no musical or lyrical similarity between Beyonce’s hit “XO” and plaintiff Ahmad Javon Lane’s song “XOXO,” the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled Oct. 21 (Lane v. Knowles-Carter, S.D.N.Y., 1:14-cv-06798, 10/21/15).

Lane asserted that he gave a copy of “XOXO” to one of Beyonce’s backup singers before “XO” was written. Lane also argued that “XO” sampled the four-bar introduction of “XOXO,” and that the lyrics and music of the songs were otherwise similar.

The court ruled that Lane did not prove he had a valid copyright in the music of “XOXO” ...