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Alicia Keys is the latest target of a copyright infringement lawsuit, though it remains to be seen whether a judge thinks the other party has a case. Earl Shuman is suing Keys because he claims that her song "Girl on Fire" uses sections of his work, entitled "Lonely Boy."
Shuman cowrote the composition in 1962 and it was then performed by Eddie Holman as "Hey There Lonely Girl" in 1970. The main problem with the lawsuit Shuman filed in California federal court is that it doesn't include much evidence beyond an article written by Roger Friedman at Showbiz411.
Considering the article originally referenced Shuman as dead, one wouldn't think there's much of a credible argument there. But Shuman apparently thinks there is, as the court documents he filed claim, "While the Showbiz411.com statements that Shuman has 'gone to rock and roll heaven' and concerning 'two seconds' of use are not accurate, Plaintiff alleges that the above observations by Showbiz411, in their essence, are apt." You can read the complaint that was filed in California federal court over at The Hollywood Reporter.
The suit was only filed last week so it remains to be seen if anything comes of it. If anything, we would have figured that "Girl on Fire" would have triggered some sort of copyright violation with The Hunger Games series, as that's the nickname leading lady Katniss Everdeen frequently goes by. Hopefully this situation is worked out to both parties satisfaction -- and Shuman provides more information about the alleged copyright infringement beyond the Showbiz411 article.
