Miley Cyrus responded to allegations that she copied Bruno Mars’ 2012 track “When I Was Your Man” when creating her 2023 hit “Flowers.”
According to court documents obtained by People Wednesday, lawyers for the pop star denied the copyright infringement claims brought forth by Tempo Music Investments in September.
Cyrus’ team argued that Tempo Music Investments only own a portion of Mars’ ballad through the song’s co-writer Philip Lawrence because they hold his catalog.
The song’s other co-writers Ari Levine and Andrew Wyatt, however, aren’t affiliated with the group and the Disney alum’s attorney argued that “only owners of exclusive rights may sue for copyright infringement.”
The “See You Again” singer’s lawyer added, “an assignee of only one co-author lacks exclusive rights and, therefore, also lacks standing to sue for infringement.”
Cyrus’ legal team requested the lawsuit be dismissed.
In September, a lawsuit obtained by TMZ alleged that the “Hannah Montana” alum’s Grammy-winning hit and Mars’ songs shared “many musical similarities,” including the harmony, chorus, melody and chord progressions.
Tempo Music Investments argued that Cyrus, 32, “intentionally” took inspiration from the “Talking to Moon” crooner’s track.
Mars, 39, wasn’t listed as a plaintiff in the lawsuit.
“Flowers” won Cryus record of the year and best pop solo performance at the 2024 Grammys in February.
“This award is amazing, but I really hope that it doesn’t change anything, because my life was beautiful yesterday,” she told the audience during her acceptance speech.
“Not everyone in the world will get a Grammy, but everyone in this world is spectacular, so please don’t think that this is important.”
Cyrus allegedly wrote the song about her failed marriage with ex-husband Liam Hemsworth, whom she was wed from 2018 to 2020.
“We were good / We were gold / Kind of dream that can’t be sold / We were right / ‘Til we weren’t / Built a home and watched it burn,” she sings, alluding to her and the “Hunger Games” star’s multimillion-dollar Malibu estate, which was destroyed in a 2018 fire.
The “Wrecking Ball” singer released the song on Jan. 12, 2023, hours before Hemsworth’s 33rd birthday.