Love it or hate it, every holiday season, Mariah Carey dominates the airwaves. Her hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You” has become the favorite Christmas song of many. However, there was some legal trouble recently as the singer was hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit in 2022. After years of legal battles, the case is now closed with Carey being cleared of any wrongdoing.
Mariah Carey Wins Copyright Case
The case, brought forth by songwriter Adam Stone, alleged that Carey’s 1994 release of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” copied his own song of the same name, which debuted five years earlier. Stone, using his stage name Vince Vance (from Vince Vance and the Valiants), sought a hefty $20 million in damages.
However, U.S. District Judge Mónica Ramírez Almadani found Stone’s claims to be unsubstantiated. She noted that while both songs shared common elements typical of many Christmas songs, they were not “substantially similar” enough to warrant copyright infringement. Judge Almadani’s ruling not only clears Carey but also imposes sanctions on Stone for presenting what the court deemed “frivolous” arguments, mandating that Stone and his legal team cover Carey’s legal expenses.
Where Did The Song Come From?
In her 2020 memoir, Carey fondly recounts the birth of her iconic song, detailing how she crafted it with a simple Casio keyboard while drawing inspiration from the classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life. This personal anecdote not only humanizes the production of the track but also highlights Carey’s musical talent. Crafting a Christmas hit is no easy task, and this is one of those songs that is guaranteed to get stuck in your head.
“All I Want For Christmas Is You” continues to pay off for everything involved in writing it. Carey and her co-writer, Walter Afanasieff, earn about $8.5 million annually from the song. Since its release, the song has spent an impressive 140 weeks in the UK’s top 100 music chart, generating approximately $100 million. Its cultural significance has been further cemented by the Library of Congress’s selection for the National Recording Registry in 2023.
Final Thoughts
Mariah Carey can head into 2025, knowing the legal battle is over. Copyright infringement is often difficult to prove, especially with something as generic as Christmas. All holiday tunes share a similar message, so proving copyright infringement is a near-impossible task. We are a long way out from this song being played in every retail store in America, but if you’ve made it to this point in the article, this song is likely already stuck in your head. You’re welcome!
