(CNN)News that a jury has ordered Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams to fork out $7.4 million in damages and profits for allegedly drawing on Marvin Gaye's 1977 hit "Got to Give It Up" in their song "Blurred Lines" has thrust the issue of music copyright into the headlines. But it's by no means the first time. Recently, it was reported that Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne would be given songwriting credits for Sam Smith's hit song "Stay With Me." But the really interesting part was that this only happened after Petty's team noticed a likeness between Smith's song and Petty's 1989 hit "I Won't Back Down."
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Jury has found that 'Blurred Lines' drew on Marvin Gaye's 'Got to Give It Up'
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Danny Cevallos : Music infringement presents a tricky question
In the case of Sam Smith's use of the @placeholder work, to Smith's credit, his team reportedly listened to the two songs and acknowledged the similarity.
In the case of Sam Smith's use of the Tom Petty work, to @placeholder's credit, his team reportedly listened to the two songs and acknowledged the similarity.
Even worse, though -- if potential litigants such as Smith and @placeholder are going to start resolving disputes without hiring us lawyers, then I might have to retire my law license along with the denim jackets.