About This Video
a legal battle over copyright infringement, the estate of Donna Summer filed a lawsuit against Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign for using “I Feel Love” without authorization in their song “Good (Don’t Die),” from the album “Vultures 1.”
donna summer
Donna Summer, Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign and Summer’s Husband Bruce Sundano
The estate, led by Summer’s husband Bruce Sudano, argues that the duo was explicitly denied permission to sample the song, yet proceeded with an interpolation that featured altered lyrics sung to its melody. This action led to the temporary removal of the track from Spotify, reflecting the estate’s efforts to safeguard Summer’s legacy.
The lawsuit, initiated in California, seeks $150,000 per infringement, aiming to compensate for damages and prevent profit from the unauth
Background & Context
As someone who’s been in the music biz for over three decades, I’ll tell you – this is a big deal. I’ve known Donna Summer and her husband, Bruce Sudano, personally. Donna was a trailblazer, her song ‘I Feel Love’ is iconic. It’s a symbol of her legacy. When Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign decided to use it without permission, despite explicit refusal, they crossed a line. This isn’t just about copyright infringement, this is about respect for the art, the artist and their legacy. The music industry is a community, and such actions can cause a ripple effect.
Key Takeaways
- Copyright infringement is a serious issue in the music industry
- This lawsuit displays a lack of respect for the art and the artist
- Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love’ is an iconic symbol of her legacy
- Kanye West and Ty Dolla Sign used the song despite explicit refusal
- Such actions can cause a ripple effect in the music industry community
About Kevin Ross
Kevin Ross is a music and broadcast industry veteran with more than
30 years of firsthand experience spanning radio programming, on-air
talent, record promotion, voice work, publishing, and digital media.
He has worked every side of the business — from the air studio to
the boardroom — and built one of the longest-running digital platforms
dedicated to Black radio and music industry coverage.
30 Plus Years In is where that experience lives on video.
