Parton cleared of song copying

Press, 20 December 1985, Page 6

Parton cleared of song copying

NZPA-Reuter Los Angeles A Los Angeles jury decided yesterday that the country singer, Dolly Parton, did not steal her hit song, “9 to 5,” from a songwriting couple. The jury of four men and two women took only 35 minutes to decide that the film star, Jane Fonda, who starred with Parton in the film, “9 to 5," Fonda’s husband, Tom Hayden, and seven others were also not guilty of plagiarism. One of Parton’s lawyers, Paul Hoffman, told her by telephone of the verdict. “She loved it,” he said. “She said she was happy about the verdict and confident

throughout the trial.” Neil and Janice Goldberg had sought SUSI million (?2 million) and other unspecified damages contending that Parton had copied their 1976 song, called “Money World,” when she wrote “9 to 5” as the theme music for the film.

The couple said in evidence that they had sent two albums containing “Money World” to- Fonda, whose production company had a role in making the film, “9 to 5.” Parton sang part of her song as evidence in court.