In a festive ruling, a federal judge decided that Mariah Carey's beloved holiday tune 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' isn't a theft, but rather the gift that keeps on giving—much to the dismay of disgruntled songwriters.

In a jolly win for Mariah Carey, a federal judge dismissed a $20 million lawsuit from songwriters claiming her holiday hit pilfered their 1989 tune of the same name, deciding instead that imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery. Judge Mónica Ramírez Almadani granted Carey a summary judgment, declaring the plaintiffs failed to prove any substantial similarity between the two tracks, while also slapping them with sanctions for their 'frivolous' claims. As 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' continues to reign atop holiday playlists, the disgruntled songwriters may be left wishing for a different kind of Christmas miracle.

The lawsuit was led by songwriters Andy Stone, also known as Vince Vance, and Troy Powers, who alleged that Carey's iconic track copied not only melodies but also lyrics and other musical elements from their 1989 song with the same title. However, a federal judge in Los Angeles ruled that Carey did not steal her song 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' from other songwriters, granting her request for summary judgment and stating that the plaintiffs did not meet the burden of showing that the songs were substantially similar. In the midst of the season that celebrates goodwill and joy, these claims were about as welcome as fruitcake at a party—nobody asked for it, but here we are.

However, the court found that the plaintiffs had not sufficiently demonstrated any relevant similarities. Judge Almadani, with all the finesse of a finely tuned orchestra, stated that music experts failed to produce evidence of substantial similarity. Perhaps they were too busy enjoying Christmas carols instead of dissecting them. After all, who would want to ruin their holiday spirit with technical arguments?

In a particularly festive twist, Judge Almadani's ruling not only favored Carey and co-writer Walter Afanasieff; it also came with a side order of sanctions against Stone and Powers. The plaintiffs were not only denied their $20 million claims but were also required to contribute toward the defendants' legal fees. One wonders if they’ll send a thank-you note to Mariah for the unexpected financial gift they’ve had to shoulder.

The plaintiffs' attorney, Gerard P. Fox, made sure to express disappointment at the court's decision, hinting that an appeal could be in the works. You might wonder what exactly they expect the music to sound like on their next go-around—perhaps something more 'in the spirit' of the season, not in direct 'violation' of it. Meanwhile, the sound of Christmas bells ringing will no doubt drown out their grievances.

It's worth noting that Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' has solidified its status as a holiday classic, frequently vying for the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100. Meanwhile, Vance claims that their own version had once charted on the Billboard Hot Country chart before Carey's hit made its grand entrance—an impressive feat, no doubt, albeit in a different category and with far less jingle. That said, one has to consider if pleading for musical recognition twenty years later is indeed an effective strategy.

This isn’t the first rodeo for Stone and Powers, either. Just last year, they filed a similar lawsuit that mysteriously disappeared quicker than a Santa sleigh on Christmas Eve. The end result seems to suggest that perhaps, next time, they should think twice before jumping into seasonal litigation without a solid sleigh of evidence.

All in all, this ruling is poised to leave Carey free to regal us with her holiday cheer without the looming threat of legal battles. As 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' continues to dominate playlists around the world, the plaintiffs may find comfort in the idea of holiday spirit—not the competitive kind, though. With the judgment behind her, Mariah can likely concentrate on what matters most: her gift to the world, and her insistence that she prefers increasing her vocal range rather than defending it.