Copyright Case-Study #1
Huey Lewis (Hugh Cregg) vs Ray Parker, Jr.
In 1981, Huey Lewis (Hugh Cregg) accused Ray Parker, Jr. of copyright infringement of "I Want a New Drug", after Parker released his single, "Ghostbusters." After more than 10 years of arguing, the two artists settled their case in private. Parker never publicly admitted his guilt but he did agree to pay an undisclosed amount to Lewis for "damages."
Song 1 - "I Want a New Drug" by Huey Lewis
Song 2 - "Ghostbusters" by Ray Parker, Jr.
The issue was brought up again during the spring of 2001. Lewis taped a VH-1 Behind the Music segment and disclosed details of the 1995 settlement. Parker filed a lawsuit against Lewis in March 2001. Parker claims Lewis broke the "confidentiality agreement." Apparently part of the original settlement banned them both from revealing any information that was not in a press release they jointly issued at that time. Parker is asking for an unspecified amount of money to compensate him for "punitive" damages and to cover his lawyer's fees. No matter the outcome... "Who ya gonna call?" Listen to the two songs, and you be the judge!
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How similar do you think these two songs are (from "Not similar at all" to "Exactly the Same")