Report: Copyright Damages Over Katy Perry's 'Dark Horse' May Be Minimal... For Katy

Katy Perry (Photo: Shutterstock.com)

While a LOS ANGELES jury decides on how much money the writers of a 2009 Christian rap song, "Joyful Noise," receive, after it ruled that KATY PERRY improperly ripped off the music to write and record her 2013 hit, "Dark Horse," (NET NEWS 7/30), attorneys told VARIETY that PERRY may get off with minimal damage depending on how her production contract is worded.

"It’s quite possible that the financial impact on PERRY will be minimal, if not next to nothing, assuming that her contract with the song’s co-writer and producer, DR. LUKE (LUKASZ GOTTWALD) is in line with many current producer contracts — even though the jury determined that she and all of her co-writers and producers are liable for the infringement," VARIETY wrote. "Those deals often indemnify the artist from financial damages."

Of course, it all depends on the contractual language, which both attorneys discussing the case with VARIETY haven't read. Publishing royalties for "Dark Horse" will not be awarded until the dispute is settled, and it could go on longer should one party appeal the size of the damages. 

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