Mariah Carey has emerged victorious in a copyright infringement case over her 1994 holiday classic, All I Want for Christmas Is You.
A U.S. judge dismissed the lawsuit filed by songwriter Adam Stone, also known as Vince Vance, who claimed that Carey’s song copied his 1989 track of the same title. Stone had sought at least $20 million in damages, alleging that Carey exploited his song’s “popularity” and “style.”
However, Judge Mónica Ramírez Almadani ruled that both songs merely shared common “Christmas song clichés” and that there were no substantial similarities between them. The court cited expert testimony confirming that the lyrics and melody were distinct from one another.
Additionally, the judge sanctioned Stone and his legal team for filing what she described as “frivolous” arguments, ordering them to cover Carey’s legal expenses.
Carey’s song has remained a global holiday staple since its release, earning an estimated $60 million in royalties. It continues to top music charts every Christmas season, reinforcing its status as one of the most successful holiday songs of all time.
