Settlement reached in ‘Rocky Top’ copyright lawsuit by writers’ children against A&E network

Settlement in ‘Rocky Top’ song lawsuit against A&E

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The owners of the rights to “Rocky Top,” the song that’s played throughout football season in Tennessee, have settled a copyright lawsuit against the television network A&E.

The Tennessean reported that U.S. District Court Judge Aleta Trauger approved the settlement Monday and dismissed the lawsuit. The lawsuit filed in June accused the network of inserting the iconic tune in a 12-second video clip for a true crime television documentary after the owners said A&E could not do it.

Court filing did not reveal the details of the settlement and attorneys for both sides declined to discuss the settlement.

Felice and Boudleoux (BOO’-deh-loh) Bryant penned the song in 1967 and the couple’s children own the rights to it, under the corporate name House of Bryant.

Information from: The Tennessean, www.tennessean.com