Lizzo sued for copyright infringement over unreleased song

October 22, 2025 – Radio 854 Music News:

What’s going on?

Lizzo and her label Atlantic Records have been hit with a copyright-infringement lawsuit by The GRC Trust. The claim centres on a track dubbed “I’m Goin’ In Till October” (also known among fans as “Good Jeans”) that circulated on social media this year.

The GRC Trust alleges that this unreleased track uses both instrumental and vocal elements from their copyrighted composition titled “Win or Lose (We Tried)”, without obtaining a license.

Key details

• According to the lawsuit, Lizzo’s track gained traction on TikTok and Instagram, and the Trust claims that even though it hasn’t been commercially released or monetised, it still constitutes commercial exploitation.

• Lizzo’s team responded by saying they were “surprised” by the lawsuit and emphasised that the song has never been commercially released or monetised, and that no final decision has been made about a release.

• The Trust is seeking damages and an injunction preventing further use of the composition.

Why this is interesting (and important)

• Unreleased doesn’t mean immune: The case highlights how a song that hasn’t officially hit streaming platforms or been sold can still become the subject of legal action if elements of someone else’s copyrighted work are used. Legal commentators point out that posting snippets on social media may trigger copyright obligations.

• Sampling and clearance still matter: The lawsuit underscores the importance of clearing rights even in the early, social-media-driven stages of music promotion. According to the filing, there were negotiations between the parties over sampling the original composition, but no agreement was reached.

• Artist reputation & risk: For Lizzo — who already has faced other legal claims in recent years — this adds another layer of legal and reputational risk at a time when social-media virality is a major driver of music exposure.

What’s next?

• The case will likely focus on whether the elements in Lizzo’s track are substantially similar to the original work and whether the use constitutes willful infringement. If willful use is found, statutory damages under U.S.-law can be significant.

• Lizzo’s team might seek a settlement or licensing agreement to avoid protracted litigation, especially if a commercial release is still planned.

• The outcome could impact how artists release snippets or demos on platforms like TikTok/Instagram — especially when there is underlying material from other copyrighted works.

What this means for our audience and the industry

• For fans of Lizzo, it offers a reminder that even highly visible artists are operating in a legal environment where copyright matters deeply.

• For the industry, it points to the evolving tensions between social-media-driven promotion (snippets, leaks, viral moments) and traditional copyright clearance procedures.

• For aspiring artists and creators: just because a track hasn’t gone “officially” commercial doesn’t mean you can ignore permissions if you used someone else’s composition.

We’ll keep monitoring developments in this case and bring updates as the lawsuit unfolds. Would you like me to prepare a follow-up once court filings become public, or maybe a deeper dive on how “viral music leaks” are changing copyright risks for artists?