[Archive 2011-02-20] Music duo The Bellamy Brothers accuse Britney Spears of plagiarism

Historical archive — originally published 2011-02-20. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

US pop and country duo The Bellamy Brothers are accusing pop music singer Britney Spears — also from the United States — of plagiarism in her latest single "Hold It Against Me". The group believes that Spears is "ripping off" one of their songs, a 1979 track entitled "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me"; they are thought to be attempting to have Spears prosecuted.

Howard and David Bellamy claim that Britney Spears' single, the first to be released from her upcoming album Femme Fatale, is "too close" to The Bellamy Brothers song. Both tracks have reached number one on various music charts.

A spokesperson for Britney Spears, made a statement to the same newspaper. "If this is now a legal matter then I am afraid we would have nothing to say until our lawyers have been alerted," the spokesperson stated.

Source and licence

Text adapted from Music duo The Bellamy Brothers accuse Britney Spears of plagiarism by Wikinews contributors under CC BY 2.5. Paragraphs have been selected and abridged, and formatting adjusted. Contributor history.