A US court has given Nigerian music star Davido 21 days to respond to a copyright lawsuit accusing him of intellectual property theft. The lawsuit, filed on April 4, claims Davido stole the song "Work" from four Nigerian artists — Martins Chukwuka Emmanuel, Abel Great Umaru, Kelvin Ayodele Campbell, and David Ovhioghena Umaru — to create his 2024 hit "Strawberry on Ice".
The plaintiffs allege that Davido shared their song in January 2022, intending to collaborate, but instead passed it to Sierra Leonean singer Emmerson, who sampled its vocals and instrumentals without permission. After failed private negotiations, Davido reportedly agreed to a settlement on March 14, 2025, including a $45,000 payment and royalty split. However, he failed to honor the deal.
The plaintiffs now demand $150,000 in damages and legal recognition of their ownership, claiming 40% of the compositional rights and 20% of the recording rights for "Strawberry on Ice". They also seek to bar Davido and his collaborators from further infringement or similar future actions.
Copyright lawsuits typically involve disputes over intellectual property rights, with plaintiffs seeking damages and recognition of their work. In the US, copyright law protects original works fixed in a tangible medium of expression, with the Copyright Office responsible for registering and enforcing these rights.
Similar copyright infringement cases have made headlines in the music industry. Notable examples include disputes between high-profile artists and songwriters, emphasizing the need for clear agreements and permissions when collaborating on creative works.
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