Kelley Heyer, a TikTok content creator, has initiated legal action against the gaming platform Roblox for allegedly utilizing her dance inspired by Charli XCX's song "Apple" without obtaining the necessary permissions. Heyer originally showcased the viral dance in June 2024, coinciding with the popularity of XCX's summer album "Brat." The dance quickly gained traction, leading Charli XCX to incorporate it into her live performances and inviting Heyer to join her on stage in New York City. In her social media post, Heyer expressed her excitement about the unexpected success of her spontaneous choreography, thanking Charli XCX for her music and the vibrant summer atmosphere it created. Meanwhile, both Roblox and Fortnite, immensely popular games among younger audiences, adopted the dance, offering players the option to purchase emotes that replicate Heyer’s choreography. However, while Fortnite secured Heyer's authorization to use her dance, she contends that Roblox proceeded without a formal agreement. Miki Anzai, Heyer’s legal representative, emphasized that Roblox’s actions disregarded Heyer’s intellectual property rights, asserting that she, as an independent creator, deserves fair compensation for her artistic contributions. Anzai expressed a willingness to reach a settlement to resolve the matter amicably. Reports suggest that Roblox generated over $123,000 from the sale of more than 60,000 emotes featuring the "Apple" dance, underscoring the financial implications of the situation. In response, Roblox affirmed its commitment to safeguarding the intellectual property rights of creators, stating that it takes such matters seriously and is dedicated to protecting the rights of independent artists and developers both within its platform and beyond.
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