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Dua Lipa ‘Levitating’ Copyright Case Over ‘Talk Box’ Ends With Settlement
Dua Lipa has settled the final copyright lawsuit over her hit “Levitating”, bringing years of legal disputes about the song to a close. Producer Bosko Kante’s 2023 case concerned his talk box recordings, which he said were used in remixes without his approval.
Kante said he had agreed to let the recordings be used in the original song, but not in later versions, including remixes featuring DaBaby, Madonna and Missy Elliott. The settlement terms and any changes to songwriting or recording credits have not been disclosed. “Levitating” reached No. 2 on the US Hot 100 and spent 77 weeks on the chart; two earlier copyright cases over the song were dropped or dismissed.
In short
- Dua Lipa settled the last copyright case over “Levitating”.
- The dispute concerned talk box recordings used in remixes.
- Settlement terms have not been made public.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Kante’s case rests on the distinction between permission for the original recording and permission for later remixes: agreeing to one use need not mean agreeing to every subsequent use. If his talk box recordings were included in remixes without authorisation, seeking compensation or recognition could protect creators’ control over their work and the value of their contributions.
The case against
The artist and other parties could argue that the recordings were licensed for the song’s broader release or that the remixes fell within the agreed permission; the reported facts do not establish the licence’s scope or any infringement. Settling without an admission of liability can also be a practical way to resolve a costly dispute while leaving the underlying legal questions unanswered.