10 Artists who were accused of stealing music

Lennon was sued by Morris Levy who owned the rights to Chuck Berry’s ‘You Can’t Catch Me’ after the Beatles legend said he was inspired by the song. Although he later insisted the Come Together was all his, he wanted to avoid a court case and agreed to record three songs that would be owned by Levy. However, he ended up counter-suing for Levy’s unauthorised release of an LP featuring Lennon. Confused? So are we. (WENN)

Gaga’s fans went gaga at Chicago artist Rebecca Francescatti and sent her death threats when she accused the pop star of stealing notes and melody from her 1999 song ‘Juda’ for her song ‘Judas’. The case was dismissed. (Getty Images)

DJs Mat Zo and Arty accused him of plagiarizing the beat of ‘Rebound’ for his track. He was also sued by Grounded Music because Fergie’s song ‘Voodoo Doll’ soudned “substantially and strikingly similar” to Groundation’s ‘Waterfall.’ Annnnnd he was sued for allegedly ripping off electronic producer Adam Freeland’s ‘Mancry’ in his hit song, ‘Party All the Time’ which ended with an out-of-court settlement. (Copyright: James Gourley/REX/Shutterstock)

Joe Satriani brought a lawsuit against the band and Capitol Records saying they ripped off his track ‘If I Could Fly’ for their Grammy award winning song ‘Viva La Vida’. They settled out of court and one of the conditions was that Coldplay didn’t have to admit to any wrongdoing. (Photo: Getty Images)

This sexy, strutting smash was found to have plagiarized Marvin Gaye’s 1977 hit, ‘Got to Give It Up (Pt. I)’. (Photo: Getty Images)

Betty Jean Newsome used to date the singer and sued James Brown for using the song without her permission. She claimed she sang “Dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah-dah, man’s world” one day when they were driving and he dumped her and used it. They settled out of court in 1966.

News that the English heavy metal band were being sued for allegedly plagiarising the intro for ‘Stairway to Heaven’ rocked the music industry. It was their breakthrough hit, but its familiar riff was said to be taken from Spirit’s track ‘Taurus’. However, the band were found not guilty last November.
(Photo: Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

New music Ed? The 26-year-old star is being sued for allegedly copying elements of Marvin Gaye’s hit ‘Let’s Get It On’ after heirs of Ed Townsend, who co-wrote the song with Marvin, said Ed’s 2014 tune ‘Thinking Out Loud’ has “strikingly similar” melody, harmony and rhythm compositions to the 1973 single. The case is ongoing. (Instagram)

Casey Dienel, an indie artist who records under the moniker White Hinterland, has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Justin Bieber and Skrillex, alleging that the singer’s hit ‘Sorry borrows heavily from her 2014 track Ring the Bell. The court case is ongoing and Justin was accused of pulling a sickie to avoid his appearance in the dock. Casey said of the situation: “Like most artists that sample music, Bieber could have licensed my song for use in Sorry.” (Photo: Getty Images)

It was revealed this week (26.02.17) that Bono and U2 have been accused of ripping off elements of Paul Rose’s song ‘Nae Slappin’ in 1989, for ‘The Fly’, which featured on their album Achtung Baby. Ironically, lyrics in the song explore the idea that poets are thiefs. Coincidence or conscience? (Kevin Winter/Getty Images/AFP)