Crossing the Blues

Friday, August 6, 2010

Katy Perry: No One Suing Over 'California Gurls'

Katy Perry has gone on Twitter to dismiss suggestions of any legal action over her use of lyrics similar to the Beach Boys' "California Girls" on her hit "California Gurls."

Snoop Dogg says "I really wish you all could be California girls" at the end of "California Gurls." The Beach Boys sang "I wish they all could be California girls" on their hit.

"No one is suing anyone," Perry posted on the instant messaging site. Her tweet also complains that the press likes to "fabricate and exaggerate" stories.

Nevertheless, even if there is no formal legal action as Perry says, it is clear that a warning has been sent by "California Girls" publisher Rondor Music.

Beach Boys members Mike Love and Brian Wilson co-wrote "California Girls," which reached No. 3 on the Hot 100 in 1965. Although the New York Post reported that Rondor was threatening to file a lawsuit against Perry's Capitol Records, a spokesperson for the company confirmed to Billboard.com yesterday (Aug. 5) that "there is no lawsuit against the writers or publishers of 'California Gurls.' We have established diminutive claim. It is up to the six writers and various publishers of 'California Gurls' to decide whether they honor the claim or not."

"Using the words or melody in a new song taken from an original work is not appropriate under any circumstances, particularly from one as well known and iconic as 'California Girls,' said the spokesperson. "Rondor Music, who publishes the works of Brian Wilson and Mike Love, is committed to protecting the rights of its artists and songwriters, and with the support of the writers, that is exactly what we are doing."

Last week, Love told Billboard.com that he liked "California Gurls," and also indicated that he heard similarities between Perry's track and the Beach Boys' original.

A spokesperson for Love told the Post that "Mike and Brian wrote the song...but any legal action is up to Rondor," while Wilson's rep said, "Rondor owns the track and called Brian and Mike, saying they were going to complain. Brian likes Katy's record and doesn't know where the situation stands."

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