A Spanish court accepted to review a lawsuit accusing Colombian stars Carlos Vives and Shakira of plagiarizing content for their hit song ‘La Bicicleta,’ reported El Tiempo on Thursday.
The lawsuit, filed by Cuban artist Livam Castellanos and MDRB Music Publishing, also mentions record company Sony Music, composer Andres Eduardo Castro, and nine other parties involved in the song’s production.
It was admitted by a judge in one of Madrid’s commercial courts earlier this month.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9I4EUb_QlA
In the lawsuit, Livam asserts that his song ‘Yo Te Quiero Tanto’, released in 1997, was plagiarized by Carlos Vives and Shakira in their 2016 production of ‘La Bicicleta’. The suit specifically revolves around one line found in the choruses of both songs:
“Yo te quiero, yo te quiero tanto“- Livam, ‘Yo Te Quiero Tanto’, 1997
“Que te sueño y que te quiero tanto“- Carlos Vives & Shakira, ‘La Bicicleta’, 2016
Livam claims that his line was copied intentionally and without his permission. He also claims that both choruses are strikingly similar in terms of rhythm and melody.
According to Diario Libre, Livam and MDRB Music had previously sent Carlos Vives a sample of ‘Yo te quiero tanto’ through Sony ATV in hopes that the Colombian artist would interpret the song. Instead, Livam argues that Vives used a fragment of his song without authorization.
The defendants have repeatedly denied allegations of plagiarism. Before the lawsuit was filed, both sides had gathered in November for a conciliatory meeting, but were not able to come to any agreement.
The General Society of Authors and Publishers of Spain have temporarily blocked the copyright of ‘La Bicicleta’.
Since its release, ‘La Bicicleta’ has won several awards, including a Latin Grammy for Song of the Year.
