Mariah Carey Didn't Steal Lyrics for 'All I Want For Christmas Is You,' Judge Rules

Mariah Carey scored a major legal victory on Wednesday after a judge ruled in her favor in a copyright case over her iconic holiday hit, 'All I Want For Christmas Is You.'

Judge Mónica Ramírez Almadani granted Carey's motion for summary judgment, effectively shutting down the lawsuit before it could even reach trial. This decision came as a relief for Carey, who had been entangled in the legal drama since the original complaint was filed in 2023.

The case was brought by Andy Stone, lead vocalist of Vince Vance and the Valiants, who co-wrote his own song with the same title back in 1989. Stone alleged that Carey and her team had copied the "compositional structure" of his track, claiming that "approximately 50%" of her song was a direct lift from his work.

Stone's argument hinged on the assertion that his version of 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' was widely recognized, even charting on Billboard and being performed at the White House in 1994—the same year Carey released her now-legendary track. He further alleged that Carey's song had unfairly "capitalized on the success" of his work, becoming a cultural staple of the holiday season.

However, Judge Ramírez Almadani wasn't buying it. After reviewing input from expert witnesses on both sides, she concluded that the two songs shared only common Christmas clichés that predated both works. The judge also stated that Stone's team had failed to prove that the songs were "substantially similar."

In a turn of events that likely left Stone feeling like he just got coal in his stocking, the court not only dismissed the case but also ordered sanctions against him and his lawyer, Gerard P. Fox. The judge deemed the lawsuit "frivolous" and criticized the plaintiffs for failing to provide adequate evidence. As part of the sanctions, Stone and his team will be required to pay a portion of Carey's legal fees.

Carey's representatives have yet to comment on the ruling, but Stone's lawyer expressed his disappointment in an email to the Associated Press. Fox lamented what he described as a trend among judges to dismiss music copyright cases prematurely, adding that his client is considering an appeal.

For now, it seems Mariah Carey's reign as the undisputed "Queen of Christmas" remains intact. And honestly, can you even imagine a holiday season without her belting that iconic chorus? Case closed—at least for now.