Its lyrics might touch on multiple “clichés”, but Nickelback’s often-maligned 2005 song Rockstar did not infringe the copyright of Kirk Johnston, who with his band Snowblind Revival released a song called Rock Star.
That’s the verdict of three judges on a US Court of Appeals panel, who have upheld an earlier 2023 ruling that also came down in Nickelback’s favour. When this case was heard, the judge stated that, at times, Johnston’s case “borders on the absurd”.
