A judge just dismissed a copyright case against Taylor Swift — using her lyrics

A copyright lawsuit against Taylor Swift resulted in what may be the best dismissal order ever written. After a judge decided musician Jessie Braham had insufficient factual evidence in his case claiming Swift had stolen lyrics from his song "Haters Gonna Hate" for her song "Shake It Off," the judge decided to get creative with delivering the bad news.
The result: A judge's order comprised of lyrics from Swift's hit songs "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" and "Blank Space."
Braham had said he'd copyrighted his song "Haters Gone Hate" back in 2013, which included the lyrics, "Haters gone hate, playas gone play. Watch out for them fakers, they'll fake you every day." Swift's lyrics are, "'Cause the players gonna play, play, play, play, play. And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate... And the fakers gonna fake, fake, fake, fake, fake."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The case is not necessarily "never, ever, ever" going to be back in court, but for now it looks like Swift can shake it off — and say, "It's gonna be all right."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published