In a legal battle over copyright infringement, the estate of Donna Summer filed a lawsuit against Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign for using “I Feel Love” without authorization in their song “Good (Don’t Die),” from the album “Vultures 1.”
Donna Summer, Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign and Summer’s Husband Bruce Sundano
The estate, led by Summer’s husband Bruce Sudano, argues that the duo was explicitly denied permission to sample the song, yet proceeded with an interpolation that featured altered lyrics sung to its melody. This action led to the temporary removal of the track from Spotify, reflecting the estate’s efforts to safeguard Summer’s legacy.
The lawsuit, initiated in California, seeks $150,000 per infringement, aiming to compensate for damages and prevent profit from the unauthorized use. It emerged after Sudano’s public condemnation of the song’s interpolation on social media, emphasizing the estate’s initial refusal was based on concerns over West’s controversial behavior.
Despite the denial, conveyed by Alien Music on behalf of West and affirmed by Universal Music Enterprises, “Good (Don’t Die)” was included in the album’s release, leading to its contentious reception and subsequent legal challenges.
Additionally, “Vultures 1” has encountered other copyright issues, notably from Ozzy Osbourne for an unauthorized sample of Black Sabbath, attributing his denial to West’s personal controversies.
The album faced distribution hurdles, being pulled from major streaming platforms and later returning under a new distributor, Label Engine. The case underscores the complexities of copyright law in music and the importance of protecting artists’ rights, with representatives for West yet to respond and attorneys for the involved parties declining comment.