20 Musicians Who Were Sued For Plagiarism

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Music copyright is famously complicated, especially when it comes to sampling.

FX / giphy.com

Using more than just a "sample," creating a parody song that winds up in the Supreme Court, and subconsciously copying someone else's work can land a musician in years of legal battles. Not to mention the argument of where inspiration ends and straight-up plagiarism begins.

All things considered, it's no wonder that the majority of the artists on this list  decided to settle out of court. These are the landmark cases that have defined the music industry over the years.

Settled Out of Court

Comedy Central / giphy.com

These are the cases that were settled before getting to trial.

1.Joe Satriani vs. Coldplay

Joe Satriani playing the guitar on the cover of Guitar World Magazine

2.Gordon Jenkins vs. Johnny Cash

Gordon Jenkins looking around a theater

3.The Rolling Stones vs. The Verve

The Rolling Stones perform

4.Radiohead vs. Lana Del Rey

The members of Radiohead look angsty in a group photo

5.Willie Dixon vs. Led Zeppelin

Willie Dixon sits with his upright bass, smiling

6.Queen & David Bowie vs. Vanilla Ice

The band Queen poses for a group photo

Vanilla Ice explaining the differences between "Under Pressure" and "Ice Ice Baby"

7.Chuck Berry vs. The Beatles

Chuck Berry plays guitar and sings onstage

8.Huey Lewis and the News vs. Ray Parker Jr.

Huey Lewis on stage holding a mic stand

9.The Turtles vs. De La Soul

The band The Turtles in a group shot

10.Chuck Berry vs. The Beach Boys

Chuck Berry strutting across the stage while playing guitar

11.Tom Petty vs. Sam Smith

Tom Petty wearing an American flag around his neck and waving

12.The Hollies vs. Radiohead

The Hollies kneel for a group photo

13.Metallica vs. Napster

Metallica reaching toward the camera during a photo

Plaintiff Won in Court

CBS / giphy.com

These cases were won by whoever was doing the suing.

14.Yusuf Islam vs. The Flaming Lips

Cat Stevens smiles in a candid photo

15.Marvin Gaye's heirs vs. Robin Thicke & Pharrell Williams

Marvin Gaye in a close-up portrait

16.The Chiffons vs. George Harrison

The four members of the Chiffons stand in matching dresses for a photo

17.Salvatore Acquaviva vs. Madonna

Salvatore Acquaviva in a record store

Defendant Won in Court

NBC / giphy.com

In these cases, the artist being sued wound up winning in the end.

18.Creedence Clearwater Revival vs. John Fogerty

John Fogerty playing his guitar

19.Spirit vs. Led Zeppelin

Randy California of the band Spirit points his guitar at the camera

20.Roy Orbison vs. 2 Live Crew

Roy Orbison wearing wayfarer shades and holding a guitar

What do you think about suing over copyright infringement? Should artists be allowed to sample freely, or are royalties a must? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!