A Florida Woman Files Another Lawsuit Against Taylor Swift, Alleging Copyright Infringement Across Multiple Albums
A new legal battle has emerged in the music industry as Kimberly Marasco, a Florida-based artist, has filed a second lawsuit against global superstar Taylor Swift, accusing her of copyright infringement. The lawsuit, submitted on Friday, September 26, 2025, targets songs from multiple Taylor Swift albums, including The Tortured Poets Department, Lover, and Midnights. This is not the first time Marasco has taken legal action against Swift. Last year, she filed a similar lawsuit against Swift and her production company, Taylor Swift Productions, Inc., which is still ongoing. The new lawsuit expands the scope of her claims, naming additional defendants such as songwriters Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner, as well as major music companies Universal Music Group, Inc., and Republic Records. This legal development has sparked significant interest, as it raises questions about creativity, inspiration, and ownership in the music industry.
The Plaintiff: Kimberly Marasco and Her Claims
Kimberly Marasco, the plaintiff in both lawsuits, is a Florida artist who claims that Taylor Swift and her collaborators have unlawfully used her original compositions in several of Swift’s songs. Marasco first filed her initial lawsuit on April 10, 2024, just nine days before the release of Swift’s album The Tortured Poets Department. In her original complaint, Marasco alleged that Swift’s production company had infringed on her copyrights. While Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed Swift as a defendant in the first case in December 2024 due to Marasco’s failure to serve the lawsuit in a timely manner, the claims against Taylor Swift Productions, Inc., remain active. Now, Marasco has filed a separate lawsuit, broadening her allegations to include additional songs and defendants. Her new complaint seeks $25 million in damages, significantly higher than the $7 million she requested in her first lawsuit.
The Defendants: Taylor Swift, Her Collaborators, and Music Industry Giants
The new lawsuit not only targets Taylor Swift but also her high-profile songwriters and collaborators, Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner, who have worked with Swift on several of the songs in question. Antonoff, known for his work on albums like Folklore and The Tortured Poets Department, is named in connection with songs such as "Illicit Affairs" and "Down Bad." Similarly, Dessner, who collaborated with Swift on tracks like "Hoax" and "Death by a Thousand Cuts," is also included as a defendant. In addition to these individuals, Marasco has named Universal Music Group, Inc., and Republic Records, two of the largest music companies in the industry, as defendants. These companies are likely included due to their role in producing, distributing, and promoting Swift’s music.
The Copyright Claims: Specific Songs and Allegations
The heart of Marasco’s lawsuit lies in her claims that Swift and her team used elements of her original work without permission. In her new complaint, Marasco identifies specific songs from Swift’s albums that she believes infringe on her copyrights. For example, she points to "Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?" and "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart," both from The Tortured Poets Department, as well as "The Man" from Lover and "Midnight Rain" from Midnights. Marasco alleges that these songs incorporate elements of her own musical compositions, melodies, or lyrical content without her consent or proper compensation. Her complaint also acknowledges the ongoing first lawsuit against Taylor Swift Productions, Inc., and clarifies that this new case is a separate legal action targeting different defendants.
The Legal Developments: Dismissals, Damages, and Procedural Issues
The legal proceedings in both lawsuits have been complex and contentious. In the first case, Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed Swift as a defendant in December 2024, ruling that Marasco had failed to serve the lawsuit within the required timeframe. However, the claims against Taylor Swift Productions, Inc., were not dismissed and remain pending. In the new lawsuit, Marasco has decided to exclude Swift’s production company and instead target other parties involved in the creation and distribution of the alleged infringing songs. Marasco’s decision to file a second lawsuit may indicate her determination to pursue legal remedies for what she believes is unauthorized use of her work. The increased damages sought in the new case, from $7 million to $25 million, also reflects the severity of her claims.
What’s Next: The Road Ahead for Both Sides
As the legal battle unfolds, the defendants in Marasco’s new lawsuit will have 21 days from the date of service to respond to her allegations. Meanwhile, Judge Jose E. Martinez, who is presiding over the second case, will oversee the proceedings and decide whether the claims have merit. In the first lawsuit, Judge Cannon has yet to rule on the defense’s motion to dismiss the case against Taylor Swift Productions, Inc. Marasco’s legal team will need to navigate the complexities of copyright law and demonstrate that Swift and her collaborators directly copied her work. For their part, Swift’s team will likely argue that her songs are original and that any similarities are coincidental or fall under fair use.
This case highlights the challenges of protecting intellectual property in the creative industries, where inspiration and homage often blur the lines between originality and infringement. As the lawsuits progress, they will not only determine the fate of Marasco’s claims but also set a precedent for how copyright disputes are handled in the music industry.
