Kelley Heyer, the TikToker credited with creating the viral "Apple" dance, and the Roblox Corporation have agreed to dismiss a U.S. lawsuit after reaching an out-of-court resolution, court papers filed this week show.
In a joint statement filed with the court, both parties said the matter had been "amicably resolved" and that they "wish each other every success in their creative pursuits and encouraging the creating pursuits of others." The filings did not disclose financial terms of the settlement.
Heyer had accused Roblox of copying her choreography, which was inspired by the Charli XCX song "Apple," and selling it on the platform as a paid emote — an in-game celebratory animation used by players. Her legal team alleged Roblox had earned roughly $123,000 (about £93,000) from sales of the emote. Heyer had sought to license the routine and said she had been negotiating with the company, but her lawyer told media outlets the platform used the dance without a "signed agreement."
The Apple dance became a major TikTok trend last summer and subsequently appeared as part of Charli XCX's live performances. Heyer previously told BBC Newsbeat she enjoyed seeing people perform her choreography but felt "bummed out" when brands and large creators used it without credit.
Court filings showed both sides moved to dismiss the case after negotiations, and the dismissal was entered this week. Roblox had previously filed a response in the litigation; the dismissal statement did not detail the company's earlier legal arguments.
The dispute joins a series of recent disagreements over ownership, credit and monetization for short-form dances and other user-generated creations that have circulated across social platforms. Creators and platforms have increasingly negotiated licensing arrangements or faced litigation as companies turn viral moves into in-game items, paid content or monetizable features.
Heyer's choreography rising to prominence on TikTok and its adoption across other digital platforms underscores how quickly user-generated trends can be commercialized. The resolution between Heyer and Roblox removes an unresolved legal test case about whether and how platforms can monetize choreographic routines created and popularized by individual creators.
Both parties said in the joint filing that they intended to move forward without further litigation. The dismissal ends the most recent public legal dispute over the Apple dance, but questions over credit, licensing and compensation for online creators remain a topic of industry and legal attention as platforms continue to seek revenue streams tied to viral content.