If Beyonce ever had a reason to say “boy, bye” it’s right now — after a New York federal judge on Wednesday dismissed an indie filmmaker’s lawsuit that accused her of copying his work for her award-winning visual album Lemonade.
Independent filmmaker Matthew Fulks sued Beyonce in June, claiming Lemonade and its trailer copied nine elements of his short film Palinoia.
Beyonce’s attorneys fired back in July, saying those elements — such as “graffiti and persons with heads down,” “parking garage” and “side-lit ominous figures” — are textbook examples of what does not constitute copyright infringement.
It appears U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff agreed, as he granted the singer’s motion to dismiss.
Rakoff hasn’t detailed the reasons for his opinion yet, writing only: “Upon full consideration of the parties’ briefs and oral arguments, the Court grants defendants’ motion. A memorandum explaining the reasons for this ruling will issue in due course, at which time final judgment will be entered.”
