MUMBAI: Legendary singer Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin are being sued for alleged copyright infringement over his 1985 hit single ‘Nikita’. The pair has been sued by a South African photo-journalist and songwriter Guy Hobbs.

According to the lawsuit filed in Illinois federal court, Hobbs registered his copyright of the track ‘Natasha’ and sent the lyrics to several music publishers including Big Pig Music Ltd unaware of the company’s ties with John. In 2001, he came across the lyrics of ‘Nikita’ and was shocked by the similarities with his own track. The suit alleges John and Taupin copied substantial, original portions of ‘Natasha’.

However, a representative of the legendary singer-songwriter has dismissed the lawsuit as ‘baseless’. “Elton John and Bernie Taupin do not know the plaintiff, nor did they make use of any song lyrics he claims to have written when they wrote ‘Nikita’. The suit is completely meritless. The fact that Hobbs has chosen to wait more than 26 years after the release of ‘Nikita’ to bring this lawsuit calls his motives into question. Elton John and Taupin fully expect to prevail against this baseless claim”, the representative said in a statement.

Written in 1982 ‘Natasha’ is based on Hobbs affair with a Russian cruise ship waitress, while ‘Nikita’ written three years later focuses on a Western man who develops a crush on an East Germany border guard he can’t meet because he is not allowed to enter the country.

The track listed in John’s 1985 album ‘Ice on Fire’ features George Michael on backing vocals. The song received acclaim in many countries, becoming a top ten hit in almost all of them.