Olivia Dean’s track “I’ve Seen It,” featured on her upcoming 2025 album titled *The Art of Loving*, is currently embroiled in controversy following a copyright infringement lawsuit. The Los Angeles-based Mattie Music Group, representing the interests of the late Bill Withers, filed the suit on October 1 in California, alleging that Dean’s song closely mimics Withers’ iconic hit “Just the Two of Us.”
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According to the lawsuit, the accusations centre on what Mattie Music Group describes as “distinct melody” similarities between the two songs. The court documents, obtained by *PEOPLE*, assert that the number, character, and arrangement of shared musical features between Dean’s and Withers’ works are so pronounced that they cannot be attributed to mere coincidence or conventional musical tropes.
Bill Withers, who sadly passed away in 2020, co-wrote “Just the Two of Us” alongside Ralph MacDonald and William Salter during his tenure with Mattie Music Group. Released in February 1981, the song quickly ascended to prominence, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and winning a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. Its enduring popularity has solidified it as a classic in the music industry.
In contrast, “I’ve Seen It” serves as a poignant closing track on Dean’s forthcoming album. It was penned by Dean in collaboration with songwriters Bastian Langebæk and Max Wolfgang. The lawsuit contends that Langebæk and Wolfgang “had a reasonable opportunity to encounter” Withers’ work prior to creating their own composition.
Notably, the lawsuit does not name Dean or her co-writers as defendants; accountability is instead directed towards Capitol Records, Universal Music Group, Sony Publishing, and Kobalt Music Publishing America, Inc. These companies are responsible for the distribution and production of Dean’s music. At the time of writing, none of the defendants have issued a public comment regarding the allegations.
The filing states that Mattie Music Group first became aware of “I’ve Seen It” in August 2026. After multiple listens, they were led to the judgment that Dean’s song has significantly incorporated elements from “Just the Two of Us.” The plaintiffs are seeking damages, the amount of which is to be decided during a forthcoming trial.
In the realm of music, issues surrounding copyright infringement have become increasingly prevalent, with high-profile cases often making headlines. Notably, artists such as Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa have faced similar legal challenges regarding the originality of their songs. Dua Lipa successfully defended her hit single “Levitating” against accusations that it copied from “Wiggle and Giggle All Night,” while Ed Sheeran was exonerated in a 2023 trial concerning claims of similarity between his song “Thinking Out Loud” and Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On.”
This ongoing legal dispute highlights the fine line between inspiration and infringement in the music industry. Both established artists and newcomers are frequently navigating these murky waters as they strive to create original works while acknowledging the influence of those who came before them.
As the music world awaits further developments in the case against Dean and her affiliated parties, the implications of this lawsuit may resonate throughout the industry, potentially influencing how future music is created and consumed. Fans of Olivia Dean and Bill Withers alike will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on how this situation unfolds in the courts. As of now, both the music community and audiences at large are eager to discover the outcome of this contentious case.