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Elton John, Copyright Infringement: Icon Wins Lawsuit Over 'Nikita' Lyrics

Posted on Nov 3rd 2012 1:30PM by Brittany Galla

Elton John Copyright Infringement lawsuit Nikita Samuel Kubani, AFP/Getty Images

After Elton John strongly fought back against a lawsuit that lyrics from his "Nikita" song was lifted from another artist, TMZ reports that an Illinois judge has dismissed the lawsuit and Elton has won the case.

In April, songwriter Guy Hobbs filed a lawsuit against Elton, stating that Elton used lyrics in his 1985 hit "Nikita" that came from Hobbs' own song "Natasha." Elton's tune tells the tale of unrequited love with an East German female border guard, while Hobbs' lyrics describe his affair with a Russian cruise ship waitress.

According to TMZ, Elton asked the court to dismiss Hobbs' lawsuit, explaining a "Grammy-winning musician like himself would never steal lyrics from some no-name songwriter." Elton also argued the theme of "Natasha" is too general to win copyright protection. The judge agreed and the case was dismissed.

See Elton in Our "Legends Then and Now" Gallery