Miley Cyrus Faces Copyright Lawsuit: Did 'Flowers' Copy Bruno Mars' Hit?

Miley Cyrus faces a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Tempo Music Investments, alleging that her hit single "Flowers" plagiarizes significant parts of Bruno Mars' song 'When I Was Your Man.'

According to the legal documents submitted, the company claims that there are clear similarities between both songs, including the melody, chord progression, and chorus, suggesting that 'Flowers' was "intentionally copied" from the ballad released by Bruno Mars in 2012​.

The lawsuit claims that "Flowers" reproduces key elements of "When I Was Your Man," and that Miley Cyrus, her production team, and her record label would have had access to Bruno Mars' song.

Tempo Music Investments is seeking financial compensation for damages and requests that the distribution or performance of 'Flowers' be halted.

Despite the allegations, it is important to note that Bruno Mars is not part of the lawsuit, and so far, neither Miley Cyrus nor her team has responded publicly​.

The Story Behind the Lawsuit

The background of this legal dispute is even more intriguing due to the theories surrounding 'Flowers.' Since its release, many fans and media outlets have pointed out that Miley Cyrus's song could have been written as a direct response to 'When I Was Your Man.'

In this ballad, Bruno Mars laments not having been a better partner and sings about romantic gestures he wishes he had made for his lover.

In contrast, Miley Cyrus presents a narrative of empowerment in 'Flowers,' stating that she can "buy herself flowers" and "love herself better," which many have interpreted as a declaration of independence following her split from Liam Hemsworth​.

The link between 'When I Was Your Man' and 'Flowers' intensified when it was revealed that Bruno Mars' song had supposedly been dedicated by Liam Hemsworth to Miley Cyrus during their relationship, making the similarities between the two lyrics even more evident.

Adding fuel to the fire, the release of 'Flowers' coincided with Liam Hemsworth's birthday, further supporting the theory that the single was a response to their relationship and subsequent breakup.

While it's common for songs to draw inspiration from others, and artists often reference or respond to previous musical themes, the line between influence and copyright infringement can be blurry.

Now, it will be up to the courts to decide whether the similarities between 'Flowers' and 'When I Was Your Man' cross that line​.

Hear the two songs and judge for yourself:

The Miley Cyrus case is not the only instance where plagiarism lawsuits have been filed. Other hits in English that have faced similar situations include:

• 'Blurred Lines' by Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams: In 2015, both artists were sued by the family of Marvin Gaye, claiming that the song copied elements from the iconic track 'Got to Give It Up.' The jury ruled in favor of the Gaye family, resulting in a $5 million settlement​.
• 'Stay With Me' by Sam Smith: In 2014, Smith was accused of plagiarizing the chorus of 'I Won't Back Down' by Tom Petty. The case was settled out of court, and Petty and his co-author Jeff Lynne were credited as co-writers of 'Stay With Me.'
• 'Shape of You' by Ed Sheeran: In 2018, Sheeran was sued for allegedly copying the melody of 'Oh Why' by Sami Chokri. Although the case was lengthy, the court ultimately ruled in Sheeran's favor in 2022​.

In Latin music, Bad Bunny and his collaborators in 'Safaera,' Jowell, Randy, and Ñengo Flow agree only to receive 1% of the total earnings of the song after reaching an agreement with Missy Elliott, who sued them for using parts of her hit "Get Ur Freak On" in more than 20% of 'Safaera.'

Currently, there is a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by Jamaican producers Cleveland "Clevie" Browne and Wycliffe "Steely" Johnson against more than 100 reggaetón and Latin pop artists for the alleged unauthorized use of the "Fish Market" riddim in around 1,800 Latin music songs.