Songwriters Have Been Removed from Copyright Lawsuit Against FROZEN's 'Let it Go'

Forbes has reported that songwriters Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez have been removed from the lawsuit against surrounded their iconic song "Let It Go."

As previously reported by BroadwayWorld, the suit was filed in November 2017, and was against Disney, Idina Menzel, Demi Lovato, and others, claiming that the hit song was copied from a Chilean song "Volar."

Jaime Ciero, the plaintiff, said there were "striking similarities" between the two tracks, and said the composing couple must have copied "quantitatively and qualitatively distinct, important, and recognizable portions." He asked that "Let It Go" stop being performed, and that the couple give Ciero their profits.

According to court documents, because Ciero waited more than three years after the release of the song to file a copyright suit, the statute of limitations expired, meaning that he could not seek damages from the songwriters.

"There are allegations," the court observed, "that indicate Plaintiff would have known about 'Let It Go' prior to November 23, 2014," three years before the lawsuit was filed.

However, since the song is now part of the Broadway adaptation of "Frozen," Ciero is able to edit his original claim to site this new instance of alleged infringement. The plaintiff has not yet released an official statement on the ruling, or on any potential future plans for the suit.

Read more on Forbes.