Lizzo’s 2025 Copyright Lawsuit: Can You Be Sued for Sampling an Unreleased Song?
Even if a song isn’t released, it can still be protected under U.S. copyright law. Lizzo’s 2025 lawsuit over her unreleased demo “Good Jeans” shows that posting even a short clip online—like a 13-second TikTok teaser—can open the door to serious legal exposure. This case underscores a growing legal issue for musicians, influencers, and brands who reuse or remix audio without full clearance. Whether you’re an artist previewing new material, a business using trending sounds, or a creator building a following on TikTok or YouTube, this lawsuit is a reminder: copyright attaches the moment a work is recorded, not when it’s released.
What Happened in Lizzo’s 2025 Copyright Lawsuit
In October 2025, Lizzo (Melissa Jefferson) and Atlantic Records were sued by The GRC Trust, which owns the rights to Win or Lose (We Tried)—a 1970s Sam Dees soul track. The complaint alleges that Lizzo’s unreleased demo Good Jeans unlawfully sampled portions of that song, including melodic and vocal elements, without permission.
The song never appeared on streaming platforms, but a short clip posted to social media went viral, partly because of its reference to actress Sydney Sweeney’s 2025 American Eagle campaign. The plaintiffs argue that even this limited preview infringed their rights and seek statutory damages of up to $150,000 per work, plus attorneys’ fees and an injunction to block distribution.
If the court finds the infringement “willful,” the penalties could be severe—potentially setting a precedent for how courts treat leaked or unreleased demos shared online.
Why This Matters for Musicians and Content Creators
Posting snippets on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Instagram Reels doesn’t make you immune from copyright claims. Once music or audio is “fixed” in a tangible form (a file, a recording, or a social post), it’s automatically protected under 17 U.S.C. § 102.
Social platforms may flag copyrighted material, but they don’t assume legal responsibility for user uploads. That means creators—musicians, podcasters, marketers, and influencers—carry the full risk. Even parody or meme use might not qualify as “fair use” if substantial parts of the original recording are recognizable.
What the Law Says About Sampling
Sampling implicates two distinct copyrights:
The sound recording (the actual recorded performance), and
The musical composition (the notes and lyrics).
To legally sample, you must get permission for both.
The landmark Sixth Circuit case Bridgeport Music v. Dimension Films (2005) established a strict rule within that jurisdiction: “Get a license or do not sample.” However, this is not the law everywhere. The Ninth Circuit, which includes California, rejected that bright-line rule in VMG Salsoul, LLC v. Ciccone (2016). There, the court held that a de minimis (or trivial) sample may still fall outside infringement.
This circuit split means the outcome of a sampling case can depend heavily on where it’s filed—an important nuance for anyone creating or distributing music across multiple jurisdictions.
How Other Music Copyright Cases Shape This Debate
Dua Lipa – Levitating (2025)
In 2025, Dua Lipa faced multiple lawsuits claiming her hit Levitating borrowed from earlier disco tracks. The court ultimately dismissed the case, finding that the alleged similarities involved “generic” and unprotectable musical elements. This decision reinforced that artists can draw on common chord progressions and rhythms without violating copyright law.
Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud (2023)
Ed Sheeran’s high-profile trial over Thinking Out Loud ended with a jury verdict in his favor. The plaintiffs alleged the song copied elements of Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On, but the jury found that chord progressions shared across genres are not enough to prove infringement. The case underscored how difficult it can be to win when the similarities involve common musical building blocks.
Lizzo – Good Jeans (2025)
The Good Jeans lawsuit is still pending, but it’s already drawing attention because it involves an unreleased track that spread virally on social media. If the court rules that sharing a short, unfinished demo online can amount to infringement, it could reshape how creators preview their work on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.
Together, these cases show the gray area between artistic inspiration and legal liability. Courts are increasingly distinguishing between copying creative expression—which is protected—and borrowing general musical ideas, which is not. The Lizzo case pushes that boundary further by asking whether posting a clip, not selling it, can still count as infringement.
The Cultural Tension Behind the Lawsuit
Lizzo has long defended sampling as part of Black musical innovation, arguing that creative reuse should be celebrated, not criminalized. Yet copyright law follows a strict liability framework—leaving little room for cultural or artistic intent.
This clash reflects a larger question: how can the law protect original creators while still allowing innovation in remix culture? It’s a balancing act at the heart of today’s creator economy, where virality and legality often collide.
Legal Takeaways for Artists, Influencers, and Businesses
For musicians, brands, and creators, the key lessons are clear:
Clear samples before posting—even for demos or teasers.
Keep documentation showing ownership of your original material.
Respond quickly to takedown notices to limit exposure.
Consult a lawyer early about licensing or DMCA compliance.
A 2024 Bloomberg Law review found that music copyright lawsuits have risen more than 40% since 2018, many stemming from short-form social-media posts rather than commercial releases.
FAQ: Sampling, Copyright, and Social Media
Can I be sued for using a few seconds of a song on TikTok?
Yes. Courts focus on what you copied, not how much. Even short, recognizable segments can infringe.
Does it matter if the song hasn’t been released yet?
No. Copyright protection begins when the song is recorded or saved—release isn’t required.
What about fair use or parody?
Fair use is limited to commentary, criticism, or education. Simply “transforming” tone or context rarely meets the legal test.
Should I delete infringing content once I’m notified?
Yes, but deletion doesn’t erase liability. Remove it immediately and seek legal advice before responding.