Beyoncé finds herself entangled in a legal dispute with the estate of Johnny Cash over alleged unauthorized use of his music on her latest album. The Cash family attorney has filed a writ of desistance, seeking to suspend royalty payments until a judge determines if Beyoncé’s song “Blackbird” infringes on the Johnny Cash trademark.

The controversy stems from a segment in “Blackbird,” where Beyoncé hums a melody resembling Cash’s “Walkin’ the Line.” The Cash estate claims she didn’t seek permission for this and asserts it breaches copyright.

Beyoncé’s PR Director, Joe Barron, refutes the claims, stating Beyoncé had permission from Paul McCartney, the original writer of “Blackbird.” He dismisses the notion that “Blackbird” sounds like “Walkin’ the Line” as absurd and accuses the estate of exploiting Beyoncé’s success.

This case spotlights the challenge of balancing musical inspiration with intellectual property rights. As the legal battle unfolds, it underscores the complexities of music copyright and the need for proper permissions.

With both Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley unable to comment, the courts will decide if Beyoncé’s use of the disputed music is a tribute or a violation.