For someone like me, who loves each and every instance of the intersection between pop culture and philosophy, this story really couldn’t get a whole lot better:

The two songs share the title “Stronger,” and both have references to supermodel, Kate Moss, but the biggest claim of substantial similarity comes in the chorus.

Both parties admit that the chorus is a derivation from Nietzsche’s maxim “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” And both songs do the business of rhyming “stronger” with “wronger,” a wordplay that might garner the approval of Nietzsche, author of Beyond Good and Evil.

But West’s lawyer believes this isn’t enough to support a claim for infringement. She argues that it’s the plaintiff’s responsibility to allege sufficient facts to establish substantial similarity and that a district court judge is within proper boundaries to examine the lyrics and make a determination whether they rise to the standards of a copyright claim. The title, Moss reference and Nietzsche maxim are all unprotectable, said that judge.

Others have gotten into trouble for interpreting Nietzsche before, but one would think that the old philosopher would have approved of Peters’ bold assertion of ownership and drive toward an appeal as a will to power. Unfortunately, for Peters, Nietzsche seems to also have a healthy skepticism of facts as the foundation of knowledge, suggesting the philosopher might ultimately agree with West here. Oh well, if the plaintiff doesn’t win, at very least he can take some consolation in the Nietzschean maxim that serves as the inspiration for both the songs in question.

(Source: austinkleon, via thenoobyorker)