Copyright Suit Alleges Olivia Dean's 'I've Seen It' Copies Bill Withers Classic

Key points

• Mattie Music Group filed a copyright infringement lawsuit in federal court in Los Angeles on October 1, 2026.
• The suit claims Olivia Dean's 'I've Seen It' from her album 'The Art of Loving' copies the melody of Bill Withers' 'Just the Two of Us.'
• Defendants named include Capitol Records, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Publishing; Olivia Dean and her co-writers are not named.
• A musicologist, Alexander Stewart, concluded the songs share 'distinctively protectable' melodic elements that are not coincidental.
• The plaintiff claims it notified the defendants of the alleged infringement in August, but distribution continued without credit changes.
• The album 'The Art of Loving' reached number one in the UK and number three in the US, and Dean won Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammys.

Background

Olivia Dean has emerged as a major global pop star, with her album 'The Art of Loving' achieving significant commercial success and critical acclaim, including a Brit Award for Album of the Year. Bill Withers, the late R&B legend, passed away in 2020, and his catalog is managed by Mattie Music Group. The lawsuit highlights ongoing tensions in the music industry regarding copyright boundaries and the commercial exploitation of classic works in modern compositions.

How outlets are covering it

All three outlets report the core facts of the lawsuit, but emphasize different aspects. The BBC focuses on the legal strategy, noting that the suit targets the label and publishers rather than Dean herself, and highlights the musicologist's findings. Rolling Stone emphasizes the 'obvious and inescapable' nature of the alleged similarities and the lack of response from UMG and Dean's representatives. Billboard provides additional industry context, noting that the album is currently at number 11 on the Billboard 200 and has spent 52 weeks on the chart, and mentions that the co-writer Max Wolfgang's publisher, Kobalt, also declined to comment. There is no disagreement on the facts, but the framing varies from legal procedure (BBC) to industry impact (Billboard) and the strength of the claim (Rolling Stone).

Why it matters

This case tests the boundaries of copyright law in modern music, particularly regarding melodic similarities between contemporary pop and classic R&B. It could set a precedent for how labels and publishers handle potential infringement claims and the responsibility of co-writers versus primary artists. The outcome may influence future practices in music production and the protection of legacy catalogs in the streaming era.

What to watch

The defendants have not yet responded to the lawsuit. The case will likely proceed to discovery, where the musicologist's analysis and evidence of 'reasonable opportunity' to have heard the original song will be scrutinized. The outcome could lead to a settlement, a trial, or a dismissal, depending on the strength of the evidence and legal arguments. The song remains in distribution, and the industry will watch for any changes in credit or licensing.