Brief
Olivia Dean sued for allegedly copying Bill Withers’ “Just the Two of Us”
The complaint, filed by Withers’ publisher, targets Dean’s label Capitol Records and Sony Music Publishing.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Billboard’s Legal Beat newsletter says a lawsuit filed in California accuses British singer‑songwriter Olivia Dean of copying key elements of Bill Withers’ 1980 classic “Just the Two of Us.” The complaint was lodged by the late singer’s publisher on behalf of the copyright holder and names Dean’s label Capitol Records, Sony Music Publishing and other associated parties as defendants.
What happened
Dean’s single “I’ve Seen It,” which rose on YouTube earlier this year, sparked comments from listeners who noted a strong resemblance to Withers’ chorus. The publisher’s legal team responded by filing a complaint that alleges the overlap between the two songs is “obvious and inescapable.” The filing claims that Dean’s track copies a protectable melody from the 1980 hit.
What the report adds
Billboard notes that Dean is a breakout artist whose album The Art of Loving has remained on the Billboard 200 for 52 weeks. The lawsuit is framed as significant because “Just the Two of Us” reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been widely used in media. The article also links to the full complaint for readers who want to review the legal document.
What was said
The newsletter does not contain direct quotations from the parties involved; it summarizes the publisher’s claim that the similarity is “obvious and inescapable.”
How it came about
Comments on YouTube comparing Dean’s chorus to Withers’ song appeared months before the lawsuit, prompting the publisher to act. Billboard’s Legal Beat, which curates weekly updates on music‑industry legal matters, reported the filing as the latest high‑profile copyright dispute in the sector.
Key facts
- Olivia Dean is sued in California for allegedly copying Bill Withers’ “Just the Two of Us.” (billboard.com)
- The complaint names Capitol Records, Sony Music Publishing and other parties as defendants. (billboard.com)
- Dean’s song “I’ve Seen It” has been on the Billboard 200 for 52 weeks. (billboard.com)
Sources
- [1] billboard.com — originally reported as “Olivia Dean Lawsuit, AI Fraudster Sentence, Erica Campbell Case & More Top Music Law News”
