Cirque du Soleil sues Justin Timberlake for copyright infringement

Canadian-based Cirque du Soleil is suing American pop superstar Justin Timberlake, alleging that his hit song "Don't Hold the Wall" illegally borrows from one of the troupe's original musical compositions.

A 10-page complaint filed in New York alleges that Timberlake illegally used parts of the song "Steel Dream," taken from Cirque du Soleil's 1997 album "Quidam."

The circus troupe, which is asking for $800,000 in damages, said it had filed the suit over the "unauthorized use of the musical composition and sound recording" in Timberlake's song, which appeared on his 2013 album "The 20/20 Experience."

The suit also holds the song's three co-authors responsible, in addition to Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music and WB Music Corp.

Cirque du Soleil did not immediately respond to a request for comment by AFP.According to trade magazine Variety, the suit is not the first of its type to target Timberlake.

In February, an allegation arose that his song "Damn Girl," which he collaborated on with Will.I.Am, borrowed from the 1969 song "A New Day is Here At Last."

Timberlake made his start as a child television star before joining boy band 'NSync.

He more recently has become one of the music industry's most popular solo singers and has starred in movies including the Facebook-themed drama "The Social Network."