Miley Cyrus sued for copyright infringement by Jamaican dancehall artist

Michael May - who goes under the artist name Flourgon - argues the pop star's 2013 hit 'We Can't Stop' incorporates elements from his 1988 track 'We Run Things'

(Getty)

Miley Cyrus has been sued for alleged copyright infringement over her hit single "We Can't Stop", according to Reuters.

Jamaican dancehall artist Flourgon, born Michael May, claims the 2013 song from Cyrus' album Bangerz infringes on his 1988 track "We Run Things".

In the complaint, May argues that Cyrus and her co-writers "substantially incorporated" his vocal melody, cadence, inflection and vocal rhythm.

It also claims "We Can't Stop" features a "substantially similar hook" and cites the lyrics "we run things, things don't run we". His lyrics in "We Run Things" are: "We run things. Things no run we."

May's lawyers argue that Cyrus' song "owes the basis of its chart-topping popularity and its highly-lucrative success to plaintiff May's protected, unique, creative and original content."

Also named in the lawsuit are Mike WiLL Made-It, Rock City (Timothy and Theron Thomas), manager Larry Rudolph, RCA Records, and Sony Music.

May is seeking a trial by jury, an injunction to halt sales and further performances of the track, and lawyer's fees. While the complaint does not specify damages, his lawyers described it as a $300m case in a press statement.

The Independent has contacted Miley Cyrus' representative for comment