MADONNA - MADONNA ACCUSED OF PLAGIARISM IN LAWSUIT

Pop superstar MADONNA is being sued by a Belgian composer, who accuses the MATERIAL GIRL of stealing the melody from his song MY LIFE'S GETTING NOWHERE for her 1998 hit FROZEN.

SALVATORE ACQUAVIVA testified yesterday (18MAY05) at Belgian's Mons court that Madonna lifted several bars from his song, which he wrote five years earlier (93).

His lawyers also argued Madonna may have heard the song when she met Acquaviva's producer.

But the glamorous 46-year-old's lawyer FABIENNE BRISON denied the plagiarism accusations, insisting Acquaviva's lawsuit is motivated by a desire for Madonna's money.

Acquaviva explains, "I was in the bath. I was listening to the radio, and thought that's strange, I know that melody. I said it's not possible."

But Brison counters, "Just because there are similarities between two songs it doesn't mean it has been plagiarised.

"There are certain artists who hear songs on the radio, see that they are very successful and say to themselves, 'Why shouldn't I try it on?'"

Royalties for Frozen have been halted until hearings on the case resume next month (JUN05).