Withers Estate Sues Capitol Records Over Olivia Dean Copyright Claims
Mattie Music Group, the publisher of Bill Withers’ catalog, filed a federal copyright lawsuit in Los Angeles against Olivia Dean’s label and publishers. The suit alleges that Dean’s 2025 track 'I've Seen It' copies the 1980 hit 'Just the Two of Us.' The complaint targets Capitol Records, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Publishing, but does not name Dean or her co-writers. A hired musicologist claims the songs share substantial melodic similarities. The defendants were notified in August but continued distributing the song without changing credits.
Key points
- Mattie Music Group filed a federal copyright infringement lawsuit in Los Angeles on October 1, 2026.
- The suit claims Olivia Dean’s 'I've Seen It' from the album 'The Art of Loving' infringes on Bill Withers’ 'Just the Two of Us.'
- Defendants include Capitol Records, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Publishing, and Kobalt Music Publishing America.
- Olivia Dean and co-writers Bastian Langebaek and Max Wolfgang are not named as defendants.
- Mattie Music Group hired musicologist Alexander Stewart to analyze the songs, finding 'substantial similarities' in protectable musical expression.
- The plaintiff claims it notified defendants of the alleged infringement on August 17, 2026, but they continued commercial exploitation.
Background
Olivia Dean’s second studio album, 'The Art of Loving,' was released in 2025 and became a major commercial success, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Dean won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in February 2026 and four Brit Awards. The album includes the top-10 US hits 'Man I Need' and 'So Easy (To Fall in Love).' Bill Withers, who co-wrote 'Just the Two of Us' with Ralph MacDonald and William Salter, passed away in March 2020. His catalog is administered by Mattie Music Group, named after his late mother and run by his widow, Marcia Johnson.
How outlets are covering it
Stereogum, Rolling Stone, The Guardian, and Billboard all report the core facts of the lawsuit filed by Mattie Music Group. Stereogum notes that the two melodies sound very similar but does not confirm intentional copying. Rolling Stone and Billboard emphasize the legal strategy of targeting the label and publishers rather than the artist or co-writers. The Guardian highlights that the lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction and notes that the song remains in distribution despite prior notice. All outlets agree that the defendants have not yet responded to the allegations. The Guardian adds that 'Just the Two of Us' had a recent resurgence on TikTok, which may have increased awareness of the original work.
Why it matters
The lawsuit highlights ongoing tensions in the music industry over copyright infringement and the legal strategies used by estates to protect legacy catalogs. It also raises questions about the responsibilities of labels and publishers in ensuring that new releases do not infringe on existing works. The case may set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future, particularly regarding the use of musicologists to analyze musical similarities.
What to watch
The defendants, including Capitol Records, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Publishing, and Kobalt Music Publishing America, are expected to respond to the lawsuit. The case may proceed to trial if the parties do not reach a settlement. The outcome could impact the distribution and commercial exploitation of 'I've Seen It' and potentially other works by Olivia Dean.
- Olivia Dean Song Accused of Copying Bill Withers Hit in New Lawsuit Stereogum
- Olivia Dean accused of plagiarism on her I’ve Seen It track theguardian.com
- Olivia Dean’s ‘Art of Loving’ Song Accused of Copying Bill Withers’ ‘Just the Two of Us’ Rolling Stone
- Olivia Dean ‘Art of Loving’ Song Faces Lawsuit Claiming It Was Copied From ‘Just the Two of Us’ Billboard
- Olivia Dean Song Accused of Plagiarizing Bill Withers’ “Just the Two of Us” The Hollywood Reporter
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