Justin Bieber and Dan + Shay Sued for Copyright Infringement Over Hit Single “10,000 Hours”

The plaintiffs claim Bieber and the country pop duo stole portions of their hit from "First Time Baby Is a Holiday," a record written back in 1973.

April 21, 2022

Justin Bieber attends the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena — Image via Getty/Frazer Harrison
Getty

Justin Bieber has been slapped with another copyright lawsuit.

The complaint is centered on “10,000 Hours,” Bieber’s hit joint record with country pop duo Dan + Shay. The song was released in October 2019, and served as the lead single off Dan + Shay’s 2021 studio album Good Things. “10,000 Hours” went on to debut at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and secured multiple awards, including the Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.

According to a newly filed lawsuit reviewed by TMZ, Bieber and his collaborators are accused of stealing portions of the track from “First Time Baby Is a Holiday,” a record written by Palmer Rakes and Frank Fioravanti in 1973. The outlet points out the song wasn’t released until 2014, about five years before “10,000 Hours” dropped.

The owners of the rights to “First Time Baby Is a Holiday” allege Bieber, Dan Smyers, and Shay Mooney stole portions of the song for their hit single, specifically pointing to similarities between the songs’ choruses and hooks. Check out a side-by-side comparison below:

The plaintiffs highlight the massive success of “10,000 Hours,” including the nearly 2 billion streams it has garnered around the world. TMZ reports the owners of “First Time Baby Is a Holiday” are seeking an injunction that would halt future distribution of the Bieber x Dan + Shay track. They’re also requesting an unspecified sum of money as well as official credit on the song.

Complex has reached out to Bieber’s camp for comment.