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‘Baseless Litigation’: Comic Wants Payback After Composer Drops $27M Lawsuit Over Lion King Joke
A lawsuit brought by South African composer Lebo M over a comedian’s joke about The Lion King has been dropped, but the dispute is continuing because the comedian now wants his legal costs paid. The case matters because it centres on free speech and the legal limits of suing over jokes, with the comedian arguing the claim was an attempt to punish protected expression.
Lebo M had sought $27 million in damages after comedian Learnmore Jonasi joked on the One54 Africa podcast that the opening Zulu chant in “Circle of Life” meant: “Look, there’s a lion. Oh my god.” A federal judge dismissed the case on Friday, 10 July, after Lebo M voluntarily agreed to drop it, while also noting Jonasi could still pursue penalties; on Monday, Jonasi’s lawyer formally asked for more than $75,000 in legal fees. Lebo M said the matter had been settled by mutual agreement and denied it amounted to a court defeat, while Jonasi’s side called the original claim frivolous and said it violated First Amendment protections.
In short
- Lion King chant lawsuit was dropped, but the dispute continues
- Comedian seeks $75,000-plus in legal costs
- Case highlights US free speech protections for comedy
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The lawsuit sought $27 million for a comedian's joke—vastly disproportionate to any plausible injury—and appears designed to punish protected expression. Awarding legal fees deters such litigation and protects free speech, particularly when comedians face wealthy litigants who can afford protracted suits regardless of legal merit. Without such consequences, comedy and criticism face economic chilling effects from litigation costs alone.
The case against
Lebo M voluntarily settled rather than continuing litigation, a distinction that should bear weight when determining legal costs. Imposing substantial fees on settlements discourages future compromises and forces more cases to trial, increasing litigation burdens for everyone. An artist may harbour genuine concerns about their work's portrayal without the original claim being frivolous, and settlements respect both parties' interests in moving past disputes without financial penalties.
Explained simply
A legal dispute has emerged between a renowned South African composer and a comedian over a joke made on a podcast. The composer, Lebo M, wrote the Zulu opening chant for The Lion King's "Circle of Life." The comedian, Learnmore Jonasi, made a joke suggesting the lyrics simply meant "Look, there's a lion. Oh my god," which the composer found disrespectful.
Lebo M sued Jonasi for $27 million in damages, claiming the joke damaged the cultural and artistic value of his work. Jonasi maintained that his comment was a joke made in jest and should be protected as free speech. The dispute concerns the composer's interest in protecting his creative work and the comedian's assertion of the right to joke freely.
The case became significant because it tested how far the law extends in protecting jokes versus protecting original creative works. It raised questions about whether courts should be used when comedians make fun of cultural works, and what legal protections should exist for those who create such works.
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