Judge Rules Miley Cyrus Must Face Copyright Lawsuit Over Alleged Similarities Between ‘Flowers’ and Bruno Mars Song
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In September 2024, Tempo Music Investments, which holds a stake in the copyright for Bruno Mars’ 2013 hit, accused Miley Cyrus of copying the song.
Miley Cyrus will not be able to dismiss a copyright lawsuit claiming her 2023 hit “Flowers” resembles Bruno Mars’ 2013 track “When I Was Your Man.”
On Tuesday, March 18, a judge denied Cyrus’ request to dismiss the case, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE. The lawsuit was filed by Tempo Music Investments, which holds a portion of the copyright for Mars’ song after purchasing catalog rights from co-writer Philip Lawrence.
The judge cited a “misunderstanding” by Cyrus and her legal team regarding the definition of “exclusive” rights, which the court deemed incorrect.
“Ownership of ‘exclusive rights’ is not to be conflated with ‘exclusive ownership’ of rights,” the ruling explained. “The ‘exclusive rights’ are what is owned collectively by the co-owners.”
According to the court order, Philip Lawrence’s stake in the copyright was a co-ownership interest in the exclusive rights.
“By transferring all of that interest, Tempo now steps into Lawrence’s shoes and is a co-owner of the exclusive rights of the copyright,” the filing states.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Alex Weingarten, an attorney for Tempo Music Investments, said they were “thrilled” but not “surprised” by the judge’s ruling.
“Our client is looking forward to having this case proceed to be resolved on its merits and are extremely confident in prevailing,” Weingarten added.
Representatives for Miley Cyrus have yet to respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Cyrus, who released “Flowers” in 2023, was initially sued in September over alleged similarities to Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man.”
The lawsuit, filed in a Los Angeles court and obtained by PEOPLE, claimed “Flowers” contained “striking similarities” to Mars’ 2013 track. The complaint alleged that Cyrus’ song “duplicates numerous melodic, harmonic, and lyrical elements” from Mars’ hit and accused her of “unauthorized reproduction, distribution, and exploitation” of the track.
Songwriters Gregory Hein and Michael Pollack — who co-wrote “Flowers” with Cyrus — were also named as defendants, along with Sony Music Publishing and Apple. However, Mars himself was not listed in the lawsuit.
Tempo Music Investments requested that the defendants cease reproducing, distributing, or publicly performing “Flowers” and sought an unspecified amount in damages.