A Georgia-based entity called the GRC Trust has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit involving a snippet of an unreleased song by Lizzo. The lawsuit centers on the previewed track “I’m Goin’ in Till October,” which Lizzo shared on Instagram and TikTok in August, allegedly infringing on a song titled “Win or Lose (We Tried)” owned by the trust.
Although the song has not been officially released, the GRC Trust claims to have suffered financial damages and accuses Lizzo and Atlantic Records of unfairly profiting from the alleged copyright violation. This development highlights a growing legal challenge connected with Lizzo’s recent promotional activities.
Details of the Allegations and Artist Response
According to court documents, the GRC Trust asserts that Lizzo “copied and exploited” their copyrighted material without permission. Attempts to resolve the dispute privately reportedly failed, prompting the GRC Trust to take formal legal action. The complaint states,
“The Infringing Work incorporates, interpolates, and samples instrumental and vocal elements of the Composition.”
Additionally, the lawsuit notes that
“Representatives for Lizzo acknowledge the same.”
Addressing the allegations, Lizzo’s representatives expressed surprise at the lawsuit, emphasizing that the song has
“never been commercially released or monetized,”
and confirming no decisions have been made about any potential official release. This statement suggests Lizzo’s camp disputes any commercial harm resulting from the preview.
Context of the Song’s Release and Previous Legal Issues
“I’m Goin’ in Till October” first surfaced in early August amid controversy involving Sydney Sweeney, an actress who was mentioned by name in the track’s lyrics, notably with the line,
“Bitch, I got good jeans like I’m Sydney.”
This reference coincided with Sweeney’s denim campaign with American Eagle, attracting additional public attention.
Shortly after the snippet’s release, Lizzo expanded her EP My Face Hurts From Smiling with a new edition titled My Face Still Hurts From Smiling. Despite adding nine new tracks, the full version of “I’m Goin’ in Till October” was notably absent.
Lizoz’s history with copyright disputes includes a 2019 lawsuit over her hit single “Truth Hurts,” where she was accused of plagiarism. That case led to a countersuit and was eventually settled in 2022, underscoring ongoing challenges the artist has faced regarding intellectual property issues.
Implications for the Music Industry and Next Steps
The Sydney Sweeney copyright lawsuit reflects increasing tensions between artists and rights holders over sampling and content use in the digital age. As public sharing on platforms like TikTok becomes integral to music marketing, disputes over unauthorized previews may become more frequent.
For Lizzo, this lawsuit could influence future decisions about releasing unfinished or disputed tracks, and the outcome may set precedents affecting how rights are managed in similar cases. The legal proceedings will reveal whether the claims hold firm or if a potential settlement might follow as in previous instances involving the artist.
