Olivia Dean finds herself at the center of a copyright dispute that has music industry watchers paying close attention. Olivia Dean‘s closing track “I’ve Seen It” from her 2025 album The Art of Loving is being challenged by Mattie Music Group, a publisher behind the iconic 1981 collaboration “Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr. and Bill Withers. The lawsuit, filed October 1st in federal court in Los Angeles, alleges that Olivia Dean‘s track repeatedly copies the melody of the classic soul record. A musicologist hired by the publisher identified what they’re calling “substantial similarities” between the two songs.
What makes this case particularly significant is how it moves beyond Dean herself. The suit targets Capitol Records, Universal Music Group, Sony Publishing, and Kobalt—the major players who allegedly continued releasing the song even after receiving written notice of the infringement claim in August. Mattie Music Group argues this willful continuation of distribution strengthens their case, which is why they’re seeking actual damages and profits, or up to $150,000 in statutory damages if the court finds the infringement willful. They’re also asking the court to stop the song from being sold entirely. As of now, none of the companies involved have responded to requests for comment.
For Black artists navigating the industry, this moment underscores how crucial it is to work with teams who understand both the creative and legal dimensions of music production. Copyright disputes like this one remind us that protecting our work—and being protected by the infrastructure around us—remains a vital conversation in an industry with deep roots in extracting value from Black creativity.
