Songwriter RØMANS Files Lawsuit Against Paramount Pictures Over Unauthorized Use of Songs in Smurfs Movie
A recent lawsuit has been filed by Grammy-nominated songwriter RØMANS against Paramount Pictures regarding a Rihanna track featured in the Smurfs movie. The songwriter claims that Paramount used the song "Anyone" without his permission and failed to compensate him for his work. Despite being credited as the songwriter and producer, he alleges that Paramount has not paid him for his contributions to the movie's soundtrack. Another song he wrote, "Always on the Outside," as performed by James Corden, was also used without his consent. The lawsuit accuses Paramount of copyright infringement, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation.
RØMANS, known for co-writing hits for artists like Lewis Capaldi, Ed Sheeran, and Camila Cabello, was approached by Paramount in 2022 to write a song for the Smurfs movie. The studio promised that the song would be performed by Rihanna, heavily promoted, and result in significant backend royalties for the songwriter. However, as the film's release approached, Paramount informed RØMANS that the song would not be commercially released, leading to stalled negotiations. Despite this, Paramount proceeded to use the songs in the movie without a formal agreement in place, causing financial harm to the songwriter.
The lawsuit alleges that Paramount unjustly blamed Rihanna for the situation, claiming that the studio had overspent on her participation in the movie and did not receive a sufficient return on investment. However, RØMANS' legal team clarifies that the issue lies with Paramount's actions and not with Rihanna. The songwriter seeks compensation for the unauthorized use of his intellectual property and the breakdown in negotiations with the studio.
In summary, the lawsuit filed by RØMANS against Paramount Pictures highlights the alleged copyright infringement, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation related to the unauthorized use of his songs in the Smurfs movie. The songwriter contends that Paramount failed to compensate him for his work and falsely attributed the situation to Rihanna, despite her not being involved in the legal dispute. The case underscores the importance of protecting intellectual property rights and upholding contractual agreements in the entertainment industry.