Beyoncé Sued for $3M for Allegedly Stealing 'XO'
Beyoncé faces copyright infringement lawsuit by a backing vocalist over the lead single "XO" off her self-titled fifth studio album released in December 2013.
According to RadarOnline, Ahmad Javon Lane, 27, filed a handwritten complaint in New York without an attorney and the judge granted him "pauper" status to waive his court fees, since he apparently makes just $2,800 a month working for Carnival Cruise Lines.
Lane claimed that the R&B diva allegedly stole his original track titled "XOXO," writing: "I believe my copyrighted musical work has been infringed upon."
Insisting that Bey's hit track, which is currently listed as penned by OneRepublic frontman and songwriter Ryan Tedder, "copies my song and artwork," he is now asking for at least $3 million in compensation from her.
"I am seeking the earnings she has made from the copied record," he wrote in his legal documents. "Also live performances, etc. I would like money compensation of $3 million, or whichever is greater."
While Beyoncé is under fire for allegedly ripping off his music, Lane blamed another singer who works for the "Flawless" hitmaker for sharing his confidential material with her, although he did not include her as a co-defendant in the new federal lawsuit.
"I have worked with [Beyoncé's] background singer Crissy Collins as a background singer for another artist," he wrote. "I sent her the material I wrote after releasing it."
Moreover, Lane claimed that The-Dream, who is also listed as a co-writer and co-producer of "XO," sings the same melodic line that he sings in "XOXO." However, he did not name the "Rockin' That Thang" singer in the suit.
Ahmad Javon Lane's complaint was actually filed back in August. Beyoncé's lawyers have yet to respond to his allegations. Listen to both tracks below.
Ahmad Javon Lane's "XOXO":
Beyoncé's "XO":
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