NewJeans Members and HYBE Face Lawsuit Claiming ‘ETA’ Stole Instrumentals From Earlier Track
NewJeans and their label HYBE/ADOR are defendants in a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by All Surface Publishing, which contends the group's 2023 chart-topping song 'ETA' incorporates substantial musical components from 'Samir's Theme,' a 2005 instrumental produced by DJ Debonair Samir. The legal complaint specifically identifies comparable horn parts, percussion elements, and rhythmic frameworks in both tracks. After All Surface issued an unsuccessful cease-and-desist demand last month, the publisher is now pursuing unspecified damages and a stake in the revenue the disputed track has generated.
The lawsuit represents All Surface's second action against 'Samir's Theme' copying; the company previously sued Pitbull's label in 2024 for similar infringement allegations on 'I Feel Good,' reaching a settlement. NewJeans additionally faces a separate copyright claim from 2024 regarding their song 'How Sweet,' which ADOR disputed. The group and label have been embroiled in internal conflicts, including a failed 2024 bid by all five members to terminate their contracts and operate independently, after which three returned to ADOR while one remains undecided and another was removed from the group.
- All Surface Publishing alleges NewJeans' 2023 hit 'ETA' copied horn arrangements, drum patterns, and rhythmic structures from a 2005 instrumental track called 'Samir's Theme'
- The publisher is seeking financial damages and a portion of 'ETA's' profits after a cease-and-desist letter failed to produce a resolution
- This is the second copyright action All Surface has filed over 'Samir's Theme'; the group also faces a separate infringement claim over their 2024 song 'How Sweet'