\n<\/p>\n
\n\tTaylor Swift<\/a> has defeated a copyright<\/a> lawsuit brought by a self-published Florida poet who claimed the newly married superstar <\/a>lifted lyrics, imagery, and ideas from her poems for several songs and videos.<\/p>\n \n\tIn a stern 10-page ruling issued Monday and obtained by Rolling Stone<\/em>, a federal judge in Florida permanently dismissed Kimberly Marasco\u2019s lawsuit, finding that it \u201cclosely mirrors\u201d a prior complaint from Marasco that likewise failed. The judge said no amount of \u201ccareful drafting\u201d in the follow-up filing could transform \u201cbasic ideas\u201d and \u201cubiquitous metaphors\u201d into protectable expression.<\/p>\n \n\tFor instance, Marasco had claimed Swift\u2019s song \u201cThe Man,\u201d with its lyrics stating, \u201cI\u2019m so sick of running as fast as I can\/Wondering if I\u2019d get there quicker if I was a man,\u201d infringed on her poem Ordinary Citizen<\/em>, which stated, \u201cI\u2019m running behind\/You say its His word against mine.\u201d She alleged both describe a woman working in a male-dominated office environment, and her poem came first.<\/p>\n \n\tShe also alleged that a poem she wrote on X.com titled Elon=MC2 <\/sup><\/em>that referenced \u201cElon being a genius\u201d was \u201ceerily similar\u201d to Swift\u2019s song \u201cMastermind,\u201d in which she wrote the line, \u201cTo assess the equation of you.\u201d According to Marasco, both songs relate to \u201csomeone as a mathematical equation.\u201d In a separate claim, she also asserted ownership over the familiar image of leaves turning \u201cgold.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThese are quintessential themes, concepts, and isolated words\u2014exactly the kind of material copyright law does not protect,\u201d U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon wrote in her order. \u201cNone of plaintiff\u2019s twelve counts identifies any protected expression.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tMarasco did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone<\/em>\u2018s request for comment. Attempts to reach Swift\u2019s longtime lawyer, James Douglas Baldridge, were also successful.<\/p>\n \n\tIn his motion to dismiss Marasco\u2019s latest complaint, Baldridge called Marasco\u2019s lawsuit \u201cfrivolous and harassing.\u201d He argued the poet was laying claim to the concept of betrayal as well as the simple words \u201cfire\u201d and \u201clove.\u201d The attorney further argued Marasco failed to show how his client even had access to her work. The judge agreed, noting that Marasco herself conceded her books were \u201cnot presently being marketed,\u201d and that one book sold only 300 copies globally.<\/p>\n