KEY POINTS:
Avril Lavigne has come out swinging against allegations she plagiarised the work of others.
70s' songwriters Tommy Dunbar and James Gangwer of the band the Rubinoos have filed a federal law suit against the Canadian pop starlet, claiming her current hit Girlfriend is a rip-off of their 1979 track I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend.
Likewise, fellow Canadian songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk recently told Performing Songwriting she gave Lavigne the song Contagious which features on Lavigne's latest album The Best Damn Thing.
But the 22-year-old punk popster is adamant she didn't copy anyone and posted an open letter on her MySpace profile refuting the claims.
In regards to the Rubinoos law suit, she writes: "I had never heard this song in my life and their claim is based on 5 words.
"All songs share similar lyrics and emotions. As humans we speak one language."
She also wrote: "I was going to be the bigger person and not reply when I read Chantal Kreviazuk's article... Our songs have no similarities and opposite meanings, i.e. different lyrics, different melody, different genres.
"There are hundreds of songs out there with the title 'Contagious, 75+ on iTunes alone."
While Lavigne may be convinced the songs are entirely different, there are some obvious similarities.
Listen for yourself here on the Rubinoos homepage.
- NZHERALD STAFF
