Elton John - Sir Elton John Responds To Nikita Lawsuit
http://www.contactmusic.com/news/sir-elton-john-responds-to-nikita-lawsuit_1323374
27 April 2012 23:06
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Sir Elton John Responds To Nikita Lawsuit
Sir Elton John and his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin have been left "surprised" and "disappointed" by a "baseless" lawsuit accusing the pair of stealing the lyrics to their hit song Nikita.
Photojournalist/songwriter Guy Hobbs has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in Illinois, claiming Sir Elton's 1985 chart hit, which features lyrics penned by longterm collaborator Taupin, bears striking similarities to his own track Natasha, which he wrote three years prior.
In his court papers, Hobbs claims he came up with the tune, about his love affair with a Russiancruise ship waitress, and had it copyrighted before sending it out to various publishing companies, including Big Pig - the firm which handles the Rocket Man star's songs.
But representatives for both Sir Elton and Taupin have denied the allegations, dismissing the suit as "completely meritless".
A statement issued to the New York Post's Page Six column reads: "Sir Elton John and Mr. Bernie Taupin were surprised and disappointed to learn of the lawsuit for copyright infringement brought against them by Guy Hobbs concerning the lyrics of their 80s hit Nikita.
"Sir Elton and Mr. Taupin do not know the plaintiff, nor did they make use of any song lyrics he claims to have written when they wrote Nikita. In short, the suit is completely meritless. The fact that Hobbs has chosen to wait more than 26 years after the release of Nikita to bring this lawsuit calls his motives into question. Sir Elton John and Mr. Taupin fully expect to prevail against this baseless claim."
Hobbs alleges it has taken him over two decades to take legal action because he moved to Africa in 1984.
ELTON JOHN Sued Over Hit Song --You Jacked My Lyrics!!!
http://www.tmz.com/2012/04/27/elton-john-nikita-lawsuit/
EXCLUSIVE
Elton John is a no good dirty lyric stealer -- at least according to a self-proclaimed "award-winning" photojournalist and songwriter, who claims Elton coldheartedly ripped off the lyrics to the hit song "Nikita."
The man behind the accusations -- named Guy Hobbs -- filed the lawsuit in Illinois federal court, claiming he wrote a song called "Natasha" back in 1982 based on his affair with a Russian cruise ship waitress ... and three years later, Elton jacked his idea.
According to the lawsuit, Guy copyrighted the song and circulated the lyrics to multiple publishing companies -- including Big Pig, which solely publishes Elton John songs -- but he never heard back.
In 1985, Elton John released "Nikita" -- and Guy claims the lyrics bear "significant similarities" to "Natasha" ... even though "Nikita" is about a GERMAN female border guard. Hobbs doesn't specify exactly which lyrics were allegedly stolen.
Now, nearly 30 years later, Guy is suing for copyright infringement -- demanding unspecified damages.
As for what took him so long to sue -- Guy says he's been living in Africa since 1984 ... and news travels slow over there.
7:17 AM PDT -- A rep for Elton and Bernie have released a statement ... saying they "do not know the plaintiff, nor did they make use of any song lyrics he claims to have written when they wrote 'Nikita.'"
The rep continues, "In short, the suit is completely meritless. The fact that Hobbs has chosen to wait more than 26 years after the release of "Nikita" to bring this lawsuit calls his motives into question. Sir Elton John and Mr. Taupin fully expect to prevail against this baseless claim."
Elton John Sued Over Nikita Hit
http://gossip.whyfame.com/elton-john-sued-nikita-hit-17452
Posted Friday, April 27th, 20120 comments
Elton John sued Nikita lyrics have been stolen?Elton John sued over ‘Nikita‘. According to TMZ, Guy Hobbs filed a lawsuit against sir Elton John in Illinois federal court. In the papers, Hobbs claims he wrote a song called ‘Natasha’ back in 1982 based on his affair with a Russian cruise ship waitress.Just three years later, Elton John stole his idea. In the docs, Hobbs says he copyrighted the song and circulated the lyrics to multiple publishing companies, but no one wanted to hear about it. He even tried at Big Pig, which publishes Elton John songs. But no answer.Elton John released ‘Nikita’ in 1985 and Hobbs says the lyrics bear “significant similarities” to HIS ‘Natasha’. Now the problem is that Elton John’s ‘Nikita’ is about a German (not a Russian) female border guard (not a cruise ship waitress). ‘Nikita’ is about the Cold War and appeared on the album ‘Ice on Fire’. The song charted at #3 on the UK Singles Chart and also made the top 10 in the US,charting at #7.Hobbs doesn’t specify exactly which lyrics were stolen.Why is he suing after 27 years? Apparently, Hobbs has been living in Africa since 1984. It looks like when he got back, he heard ‘Nikita’ and recognized the similarities. Don’t they have radios in Africa?
Hobbs is suing for copyright infringement demanding unspecified damages.
