- News
Mariah Carey Seeks Legal Fees After Winning “All I Want for Christmas” Lawsuit
After successfully defending her modern Christmas classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You” in court, Mariah Carey is turning the tables. The pop icon, who emerged victorious in the copyright dispute over the holiday hit, is now requesting that the individuals who sued her foot the bill for her substantial legal expenses. With Mariah Carey legal fees now making headlines, the singer is making it clear that frivolous lawsuits come at a cost.
The Lawsuit That Tried to Cancel Christmas
In 2022, Carey was sued by musician Andy Stone (also known as Vince Vance) and his collaborator Troy Powers, who claimed that her globally beloved 1994 single unlawfully borrowed from their earlier track of the same title released in 1989. Their argument? That Carey’s festive anthem shared enough similarities with their song to warrant legal action — despite the nearly five-year gap and distinct musical composition of each track.
As explained in Mariahpedia’s deep-dive, the case largely hinged on the shared title and general Christmas themes — something the judge ultimately saw as too vague to support a claim of copyright infringement.
U.S. District Judge Monica Almadani dismissed the case, concluding that any overlap between the two songs amounted to common seasonal expressions, not protectable artistic elements. In short: just because two songs talk about Christmas wishes doesn’t mean one copied the other.
Now Comes the Bill
With the case behind her, Carey isn’t just celebrating — she’s also holding the plaintiffs accountable for the disruption. According to a report from Billboard, Carey, along with Sony Music and Universal Music, has filed to recover over $180,000 in legal fees, asserting that the lawsuit was not only meritless but also costly.
The legal team argues that the plaintiffs failed to bring forth a plausible case and instead relied on dated arguments and speculative claims. Since the lawsuit demanded extensive time and resources — including top-tier legal representation — Carey’s team is asking the court to shift that burden back to the accusers.
Much of the expense stems from work done by Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, where lead attorney Peter Anderson reportedly charges nearly $1,000 per hour.
Why This Matters
While celebrity lawsuits come and go, this case holds broader implications. It sends a message that artists defending themselves against unfounded accusations may seek reimbursement for the ordeal — especially when the accusations are legally flimsy.
Additionally, it draws attention to the fine line between inspiration and infringement, particularly in genres like holiday music, where recurring themes and language are virtually unavoidable. The title “All I Want for Christmas Is You” may sound universal, but that doesn’t make it anyone’s exclusive property — unless, of course, they can prove it with compelling evidence, which didn’t happen here.
Mariah Carey’s holiday hit continues to top charts and soundtrack Christmas playlists around the globe — and now, it has triumphed in court as well. Although the final chapter of this legal battle is still unfolding with her request for reimbursement filed, one thing is certain: the Queen of Christmas isn’t letting anyone threaten her festive reign — or her finances.
