Tim Whitby/Getty ImagesElton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin didn't nick the lyrics to "Nikita," a U.S. District Court judge has ruled.
Songwriter Guy Hobbs' had sued, claiming that his tune "Natasha" had been copied by Elton John's similarly titled 1985 hit."
The pop icon won the day, according to AceShowBiz, but in the process Elton got his songwriting prowess slammed.
The judge decided that just the mere fact that each song was a Soviet era cross-cultural romance littered with clichés, was not enough to prove copyright infringement.
Specifically, Judge Amy St. Eve ruled that "phrases and themes that are common, trite, or cliched are not protected under copyright laws."
Well, a win is a win. But, Ouch!