A little-known US R&B singer/songwriter Jesse Braham whose stage name is Jesse Graham, is claiming that Taylor Swift has stolen lyrics from his 2013 song Haters Gone Hate for her hit single ÂShake it OffÂ
SwiftÂs Shake it Off topped music charts around the world and secured number 2 in the UK charts. On YouTube the video for the song has been watched more than 1.1 billion times.
The contested lyrics in BrahamÂs song are ÂHaters gone hate, players gone play. Watch out for them fakers, theyÂll fake you everydayÂ. He is claiming that Taylor Swift has used those lyrics without his permission for her single ÂShake It OffÂ, and as such is claiming damages in the region on $42 million. A well as compensation, Mr Braham also wasnÂt his name added as a writer on the track.
BrahamÂs song was released in 2013- a year before Taylor SwiftÂs Grammy winning song was debuted.
He claims that he has copyright ownership of the phrases ÂHaters gone Hate and ÂPlayers gone playÂ, both of which appear in the chorus of Taylor SwiftÂs hit single and in his original song.
Braham has reportedly told the Daily New York News that Âthere is no way Swift came up with her lyrics independently of his song. ÂHer hook is the same as mineÂ, he continued Âif I didnÂt write the song ÂHaters Gone HateÂ, there wouldnÂt be a song called Âshake It OffÂ. He further commented that SwiftÂs management has repeatedly denied his requests for an official writing credit on the song and a selfie with the pop star.
Legal sources have commented that Braham who is a litigant in person cannot claim copyright protection for the phrases Âhaters gone hate and Âplayas gone play as the Copyright Act does not protect short phrases and these phrases are not original to him. Further they commented that the Âmost damning to Mr BrahamÂs claim, the two songs have absolutely nothing in commonÂ.
SwiftÂs legal team are yet to release a statement.
