One hit wonder Toni Basil is going after a string of companies she claims used her 1982 hit “Mickey” without permission.
Basil, whose real name is Antonia Basilotta, filed a lawsuit Thursday in California Superior Court against entertainment companies Disney and Viacom, retailer Forever 21 and several other companies.
The 73-year-old alleges “Mickey” has been “exploited and unlawfully licensed throughout the world” and that the defendants used her “voice, image, likeness, and/or persona without prior written consent.”
Basil’s complicated claim states that Comedy Central used “Mickey” in a 2008 episode of South Park wherein a character is heard singing: “Obama, you’re so fine, you’re so fine, you blow my mind, hey Obama.”
The song was also used in an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race on VH1.
Forever 21, the claim states, used “Mickey” in a promotional video for a Disney line of clothing.
“Basil’s brand and identity is intertwined with her iconic song,” reads the lawsuit. “Basil is protective of her brand and her signature song is known as a cheerleading anthem and an Eighties one hit wonder.”
It adds: “Her reputation as a creative force and entertainment visionary is of extreme importance to her and her livelihood.”
"Mickey" was written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn as "Kitty" and recorded by UK group Racey in 1979. Basil changed the title to make the song about a man.
The lawsuit seeks thousands of dollars in damages as well as unspecified punitive damages and costs.
None of the defendants have responded to the action and none of the allegations in the lawsuit have been proven in a court.