Songwriter Admits to Lifting Someone Else’s Music for H.E.R.’s hit song “Focus”!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Well Known DJ Darhyl “DJ” Camper, J. Love and Gabrielle Wilson Sued for $3 million. Songwriter Admits to Lifting Someone Else’s Music for H.E.R.’s hit song “Focus”!
NEW YORK: A major copyright infringement lawsuit was filed today in federal court against Darhyl “DJ” Camper, the artist H.E.R. (Gabrielle Wilson), and music producer Justin Love for the hit song “Focus”. Sony Music Entertainment, the distributor of the hit song, “Focus” performed by H.E.R. was also included in the lawsuit.
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Well known songwriter and piano maestro Andre Sims (@andresimspiano) sued the trio after Camper went on social media and admitted he saw Sims playing his own song “Endless Minds” on YouTube and took it for “Focus” song. (Here is the clip where Camper admits to taking the music)
https://vimeo.com/414639755/414638981
Sims said he tried to notify Camper and the other writers, however, no one would cooperate in sharing any info on the song or the copyright associated with the song or the estimated $3 million the song has made and still makes.
There is no dispute the “Focus” song uses “Endless Minds” by Sims.
See https://vimeo.com/414639755/b8307b6794
“I am so disappointed that they not only stole my song,” said Sims, known worldwide as a music savant. “But, they act as if DJ Camper did not admit he took my music and used it for the “Focus” song.” Sims added, “I had hoped to avoid court, but after months of trying to get them to do the right thing, they left me with no other alternative.”
Mr. Sims sued for copyright infringement, injunctive relief, an accounting of all monies made and requests that the court require the defendants to create a constructive trust to hold royalties.
“We have asked the songwriters, their managers, lawyers and Sony to turn over all income associated with the song for several months now and they have refused to cooperate in any meaningful way,” said Attorney James L. Walker, Jr., based in Atlanta, GA (@jameswalkeresq). Walker is representing Sims, along with Attorneys Enrique Ramos and Stephen Katz of The Katz Law Firm of Marietta, GA.
We are hopeful that all three will do the right thing and pay Mr. Sims what they owe him, if not, we will see them in court,” added Katz, “This is real simple: you stole the man’s music, return it and pay him.”
“It is very disappointing that the parties could not resolve this matter,” Walker explained. “It is clear that Mr. Camper has admitted that our client’s song was stolen and was used note-for-note for the “Focus” song.”
Katz explained that the musical bed of the two songs are identical and “we should not have to sue for the three writers to do the right thing and pay Mr. Sims and return the song to him as he owns both songs.”
The song “Focus” was recorded by artist H.E.R. aka Gabriella Wilson and released on Sony. The song became H.E.R.’s first number one song when it topped the Adult R&B Songs charts in October 2018. The song also was nominated the Soul Train Music Award for The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter’s Award at the 2018 Soul Train Music Awards and for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. Wilson has won countless awards with the song and the song has been downloaded nearly 200 million times and is still very popular.
Additionally, Attorney Joel A. Katz of Greenberg Traurig, LLP is a special adviser to Walker on the case.
“We are hopeful that all three will do the right thing and pay Mr. Sims what they owe him, if not, we will see them in court,” added Walker.
Please see the complaint below PLAINTIFF MAURICESIMMONDS FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT