Understanding Plagiarism in Music and Entertainment
Published March 6, 2025
Plagiarism is a big word in the creative world, and it often sparks debates about originality, inspiration, and legal rights. But what exactly counts as plagiarism? And when does it cross the line into copyright infringement? Let’s break it down with some famous cases and insights.
Access vs. Similarity: Proving Plagiarism
For something to be considered plagiarism, it’s not enough that two works are similar—you have to prove that the person accused of copying actually had access to the original work. A great example is the case of The Isley Brothers vs. Michael Bolton.
The Isley Brothers sued Michael Bolton for copying their song, and musicologists confirmed the two songs were strikingly similar. Bolton insisted he had never heard the song before, arguing that he couldn’t have copied something he wasn’t aware of. But the court ruled otherwise, citing “unconscious copying,” a legal principle where even if you don’t intentionally copy something, you can still be held responsible if the similarities are substantial. Bolton ended up paying $5.4 million in damages.
Another famous case involved George Harrison’s My Sweet Lord.
Harrison claimed he had never heard The Chiffons’ He’s So Fine, but the courts ruled that the melodies were too similar. Even without intent, he was still found liable for plagiarism.
Plagiarism vs. Copyright Infringement
People often use these terms interchangeably, but they are different. Plagiarism is an ethical issue—it’s about taking credit for someone else’s work. Copyright infringement, on the other hand, is a legal issue—it happens when someone copies protected work without permission. You can plagiarize something without breaking copyright law, and vice versa.
Take the case of aespa’s Black Mamba.
The visuals in the music video bore a strong resemblance to an independent artist’s work, which had been posted on Instagram months before. Fans noticed the similarity, and the artist confirmed they were never contacted by SM Entertainment. However, when SM reached out, they clarified their creative process and resolved the matter with the artist, avoiding legal consequences.
Then there’s the NewJeans vs. Jeans debate, where NewJeans was accused of copying the visuals, font, and even choreography of another group.
However, since the original group didn’t hold any legal copyrights over those elements, there was no copyright infringement—just an ethical debate about creative integrity.
The Limits of Musical Originality
One of the biggest challenges in music plagiarism cases is the fact that music, despite seeming limitless, has mathematical constraints. Researchers once used a computer program to generate every possible combination of 12 musical notes in one octave. The result? 68.7 billion possible sequences! So technically, every melody we hear today has already been created in some form.
That’s why many songs sound alike—it’s not always intentional copying, but a natural result of working within a limited number of musical possibilities. This is something Olivia Marsh learned the hard way when she was accused of copying elements from older songs.
She eventually acknowledged the similarities and credited the original artists.
Inspiration vs. Copying
There’s a fine line between being inspired by something and outright copying it. A great example is J-Hope’s admiration for J. Cole.
He openly credits J. Cole as an influence, incorporating similar themes in his music while still making them his own. The same goes for Jimin, who took inspiration from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band to create his unique artistic identity.
Taking inspiration is natural and even encouraged in the creative world—what matters is how you transform that inspiration into something uniquely yours.
A Lesson in Perspective
The latest plagiarism accusations in K-pop have shown just how inconsistent people can be. While some fans are quick to call out minor similarities—like fonts, colors, or lighting—others are willing to overlook blatant cases of copying. The recent controversy surrounding Olivia Marsh’s song is a perfect example. The similarities were undeniable, yet many people quickly moved on. Meanwhile, other artists get dragged for the smallest design choices.
At the end of the day, it’s important to stay fair and logical about these accusations. As BTS fans, for example, we should aim to follow their example. BTS has always focused on positivity, integrity, and taking the high road. It’s tempting to engage in petty online fights, but true support means upholding the same values as the artists we admire.
Plagiarism will always be a hot topic in music and entertainment, but understanding the nuances—like access, unconscious copying, and the difference between inspiration and theft—can help us have more informed discussions. Creativity is complex, and while originality is the goal, the reality is that similarities will always exist. The key is recognizing the difference between ethical inspiration and outright copying.
So next time a plagiarism scandal pops up, take a step back, analyze the facts, and decide for yourself—was it copying, or just a case of great minds thinking alike?
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