A copyright-infringement lawsuit against Drake over his track “Janice STFU” has been dismissed less than two weeks after it was filed.
According to documents obtained, attorneys for producer and songwriter Aviel Calev Hirschfield filed a notice in federal court on Tuesday (Oct. 27), confirming that he was dropping his complaint against Drizzy. No reason was provided for the dismissal, which was filed “without prejudice,” meaning Hirschfield retains the option to bring the lawsuit again in the future.
Hirschfield’s legal dispute with Drake began on Oct. 16, when he filed a copyright-infringement lawsuit against the Toronto rap star. He alleged that Drake used the exact chorus he had written specifically for him in January, set to a beat produced by FnZ, the producers behind “Janice STFU.” Hirschfield claimed he sent a reference track to FnZ and other members of Drake’s production circle but received no response. After hearing “Janice STFU” on Drake’s Iceman album in May and noticing that he wasn’t credited, Hirschfield said he contacted Drake’s team. The lawsuit also claimed that he provided evidence to Drake’s camp in the form of “stems” from his original chorus recording.
When the lawsuit was initially filed, Drake’s team strongly denied the allegations.
“Let us be absolutely clear: These allegations are categorically, unequivocally, and completely denied,” they said in a statement. “There is not one iota of truth to these accusations, and we reject every attempt to portray these claims as established facts.”
“The allegations are not merely disputed — we maintain that they are entirely fabricated, without credible factual support or legitimate legal foundation. Drake wrote this song and has no connection or knowledge of this person full stop,” they concluded.
