Georgia trust sues Lizzo, Atlantic over unlicensed sampling

A Georgia-based trust has sued singer Lizzo and her label, Atlantic Records, alleging the artist used portions of a 1970s composition without permission when she previewed an unreleased song on social media in August. The complaint, filed Oct. 21 by GRC Trust, says Lizzo’s snippet of "I’m Goin In Till October," also known online as "Good Jeans," copies vocal and instrumental elements from "Win or Lose We Tried," a composition GRC says it owns.

In the filing, GRC Trust contends the social media preview incorporates, interpolates, and samples parts of the earlier work and that Lizzo and Atlantic did not obtain a license. The trust says its representatives sought to negotiate a sampling agreement with Lizzo’s team but that talks broke down, prompting the lawsuit seeking monetary damages and an injunction to block further exploitation of the disputed material. The complaint asserts the defendants have received profits they would not have realized but for the alleged infringement.

Lizzo’s camp responded through a spokesperson, saying in a statement, "We are surprised that The GRC Trust filed this lawsuit. To be clear, the song has never been commercially released or monetized, and no...