A Rihanna track from last year’s Smurfs movie is at the center of a new lawsuit filed by the Grammy-nominated songwriter RØMANS, who says Paramount Pictures never paid him for writing it – and then falsely blamed Rihanna for the mess.
Sam Roman, who co-wrote Lewis Capaldi’s 2018 chart-topper “Someone You Loved,” claims that after talks with the studio stalled, Paramount used the song “Anyone” in the movie anyway, all without his permission and without “paying him a dime.”
Related
Cardi B Wins Legal Penalty Against Trial Lawyer Who Asked Her About Gang Ties: ‘Intentional Violation’
Vans Warped Tour Reveals First Artists for 2026
After Ozzy's Death, Sharon Osbourne Is Still Changing The Music Industry: 'I'm Up 24 Hours a Day'
According to the Friday lawsuit, obtained and first reported by Billboard, Paramount has since refused to fix the problem and instead has “pointed its finger at Rihanna,” claiming “outlandishly” that it’s her fault that he hasn’t been paid for his work.
“Paramount took the tack common to a toddler confronted with wrongdoing: Blame someone else. In this case, blame Rihanna,” writes Roman’s lawyer Jonathan Steinsapir. “Paramount decided to punish plaintiff — and brazenly infringe his copyrights by using them without consent and without paying him a dime — because the studio was mad at Rihanna.”
Smurfs, a live-action animated hybrid released in June to largely negative reviews, was a box-office flop, reportedly losing $80 million for Paramount. Roman claims the movie also features a second song he wrote – “Always on the Outside,” as performed by James Corden – without permission.
“Paramount knew full well that it had no right to use plaintiff’s intellectual property in this way. Indeed, Paramount credits plaintiff as the songwriter and producer of both tracks,” Steinsapir writes. “Despite these credits, Paramount has still not paid plaintiff even a penny.”
Related
Pharrell Williams Sued by Neptunes Partner Chad Hugo Amid Split: ‘Fraudulent Conduct’
A rep for Paramount did not immediately return a request for comment Monday on the lawsuit’s accusations. Rihanna is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit nor accused of any wrongdoing; a spokeswoman for the star also did not return a request for comment.
Roman, who has co-written music with Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, Demi Lovato, Maroon 5, Alicia Keys, John Legend, and Calvin Harris, claims that Paramount approached him in 2022 about writing a song for the Smurfs movie. He says the studio pitched him that it would be performed by Rihanna, be heavily promoted as part of the movie, and that he would retain “significant backend royalties.”
“To state the obvious, big-name performers significantly drive the commercial value of songs,” Roman’s lawyers write in Friday’s lawsuit. “Writing and producing just one hit for an artist like Rihanna can yield economic benefits for decades.”
But as the release of the film neared, Roman says he was told that “Anyone” would not be released commercially after all – a change that he says fundamentally altered the economics of the deal and caused negotiations to be “completely halted.” With no deal in place, he says Paramount “astoundingly” decided to simply release Smurfs anyway, with his songs featured in “key scenes.”
“Paramount has still not paid plaintiff a dime,” Roman’s lawyers write. “At no time did plaintiff consent in any way — expressly or impliedly — to Paramount releasing the songs and recordings without a written agreement.”
Related
Singer on Wiz Khalifa & Charlie Puth’s ‘Furious 7’ Smash ‘See You Again’ Sues Over Royalties
In the aftermath of the movie’s release, Roman claims that Paramount chose to “blame Rihanna” for the debacle. The studio allegedly told him that it was “very frustrated by the money it had supposedly spent on Rihanna’s participation” and that it felt it had “not gotten an appropriate return from her.”
“Paramount explained that Rihanna had supposedly required Paramount to waste a lot of money and go over budget on the movie,” Roman’s lawyers write in Friday’s complaint. “Because of that, Paramount explained, plaintiff was just out of luck.”
The case does not accuse Rihanna of doing anything wrong – and in fact, Roman’s attorneys go out of their way to say as much: “Plaintiff has no issue with Rihanna. His issue is squarely with Paramount.”
In technical legal terms, Roman is accusing Paramount of copyright infringement for using the songs without permission, as well as fraud and negligent misrepresentation over its alleged promises and the breakdown in negotiations.
Hence then, the article about rihanna song in smurfs movie sparks lawsuit against paramount not paid a penny was published today ( ) and is available on billboard ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Rihanna Song In ‘Smurfs’ Movie Sparks Lawsuit Against Paramount: ‘Not Paid A Penny’ )
Also on site :
- Islamic State claims Niger airport attack
- ‘Redline’: Global NGOs working in Gaza defy Israel’s threats after MSF ban
- Donald Trump Slams Grammys as ‘Unwatchable’ and Calls Trevor Noah a ‘Total Loser’ Over Trump-Epstein Island Joke: ‘It Looks Like I’ll Be Sending My Lawyers to Sue This Pathetic Dope’