A New York federal judge has accepted claims by Dominican songwriter Ramon “Arias” Vasquez that his song “Loca con su tiguere” was plagiarized by Shakira who turned it into the hit song “Loca” from her 2010 album, ‘Sale el sol.’ Hollywood Reporter covered the story.
Loca con su tiguere was inspired by his sister’s relationship with a street-tough boyfriend.
The song reached Shakira after another singer, Eduardo Edwin Bello Pou (El Cata), recorded it and made it famous. Arias told the judge he had introduced Bello to the song, but Bello denied this had happened and said that Loca con su tiguere was his song, inspired by his relationship with his ex-wife.
Shakira’s version of the song featured Bello singing some sections.
The copyright lawsuit focused mainly on the Spanish version, with the judge finding responsibility with SonyATV Latin and Sony/ATV Discos that distributed the Spanish version of “Loca” in the US.
The case now moves to a trial phase to determine damages to be paid, as reported in Hollywood Reporter. The New York Post reported that the ruling is a big win for plaintiff Mayimba Music, which holds the rights to Vasquez’s work and sued Sony Corp of America and affiliates in 2012.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/shakiras-illegally-copied-song-puts-726532
http://nypost.com/2014/08/20/shakira-sony-sunk-as-judge-rules-loca-a-rip-off/