Mark Ronson Sued Over 'Uptown Funk' Zapp Similarities

“Uptown Funk” is the subject of a new copyright infringement lawsuit. Mark Ronson has been accused of copying Zapp’s 1980 classic “More Bounce to the Ounce” without permission. The complaint was brought by the owners of “More Bounce,” Lastrada Entertainment. The company claims that Ronson’s copying of the song for his hit Bruno Mars collaboration is “obvious.” The lawsuit lists a number of similarities, including “three-note introductory talk-box melody ‘doubled’ on guitar” and “talk-box vocalization of the word ‘doh.’” The complaint also cites interviews where Ronson discussed his admiration for Zapp and Roger Troutman.

Jeff Bhasker and the Smeezingtons’ Philip Martin Lawrence, who performed on the song, are also named as plaintiffs (alongside record labels and digital streaming platforms). Lastrada Entertainment is seeking damages, a jury trial, and a permanent injunction to keep Ronson from continuing to profit from the song. Find the complaint, which features side-by-side sheet music comparisons, below. Pitchfork has reached out to representatives for Lastrada Entertainment for comment. Representatives for Ronson declined to comment.

“Uptown Funk” has been the subject of a few legal battles at this point, including one where Ronson and Mars were accused of infringing on Collage’s 1983 single “Young Girls.” The Gap Band were awarded songwriting credits on the song after citing similarities between “Uptown Funk” and their 1979 hit “Oops Upside Your Head.” Ronson was also accused of infringing on the Sequence’s 1979 song “Funk You Up,” but a lawsuit was not filed.

See where Zapp landed on Pitchfork’s “200 Best Songs of the 1980s.”