Alice Merton and two German publishing companies sued Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, and Yeezy Record Label, LLC, alleging that Ye’s composition “Gun to My Head” used elements of Merton’s composition “Blindside” without authorization. The plaintiffs seek damages and an injunction. The claims are allegations in a complaint, not a court finding that infringement occurred.
Why did Alice Merton sue Ye?
Merton, Merton & Grauwinkel GmbH, and Paper Plane Publishing GmbH filed the case on March 25, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The complaint identifies “Blindside” as a song on Merton’s 2022 album S.I.D.E.S. and alleges that Ye’s “Gun to My Head” incorporated elements of that composition.
The complaint also connects the alleged use to a work-in-progress version of Vultures 2. The sources available do not independently establish that “Gun to My Head” was commercially released, so the release context should be understood as the plaintiffs’ allegation rather than a confirmed release history.
What does the complaint say about the licensing dispute?
According to the complaint, Merton was unwilling to license the use of “Blindside” because she opposed Ye’s public antisemitism. That is the plaintiffs’ account of her reason; it is not a finding by the court.
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What legal claims and remedies are involved?
The complaint brings a copyright infringement claim under the federal Copyright Act and an unfair competition claim under California law. The plaintiffs request damages and injunctive relief. Those are remedies they are asking the court to grant, not relief that the record cited here shows was awarded.
The distinction between a composition and a recording matters in describing the allegation: the complaint concerns the musical composition “Blindside” and alleged elements in “Gun to My Head.” The available account does not establish a separate claim about the use of a particular released recording.
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What is the latest documented status of the case?
The case is Alice Merton et al. v. Ye et al., No. 2:25-cv-02615. A docket snapshot last retrieved September 12, 2025 records an answer filed by Ye and Yeezy Record Label, LLC on July 3, 2025, and a scheduling and trial order dated August 22, 2025 setting a jury trial for March 15, 2027. It also reports service by publication on Ye on September 12, 2025. These entries are the latest documented milestones in that snapshot; they do not confirm the case’s posture as of October 8, 2026, or whether the trial date remains in effect.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does the complaint say about Ye’s prior sampling lawsuits?
The complaint states that Ye had been sued at least fourteen times since 2008 over unauthorized sampling. This is the plaintiffs’ assertion in the complaint, not an independently verified count in the sources cited here, and it does not establish the outcome of this Merton case.
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- Format: Book & 2 CDs
- Category: Textbook - General
- Contributors: By Andrew Surmani, Karen Farnum Surmani, and Morton Manus
- Pub Date: 8/2004
- Series: Essentials of Music Theory
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