He’s So Fined
GEORGE HARRISON’S PLAGIARISM SAGA
In November 1970, George Harrison released his first solo single and biggest hit, “My Sweet Lord.” The song shot to No. 1 internationally and achieved the rare feat of bringing religious devotion to the pop charts. Only one problem arose — despite what the record label said, George Harrison didn’t write it. “He’s So Fine” was written by Ronnie Mack and recorded by The Chiffons only seven years earlier. It became a hit in its own right, with Billboard ranking it as the fifth-biggest single of 1963. Though Harrison had dramatically rearranged the song and written new lyrics, the similarities between “He’s So Fine” and “My Sweet Lord” were undeniable to even the casual listener. Despite Harrison’s lyric that “it takes so long,” the song’s owner, Bright Tunes, wasted no time filing a plagiarism lawsuit in February 1971. It also didn’t take Harrison long to realize his mistake. In fact, the “quiet Beatle” later confessed to the similarities in his book “I Me Mine,” asking, “Why didn’t I realize?” Harrison’s manager, Allen Klein, thought he could make the matter go away by throwing money at it. He suggested that the wealthy
Harrison buy Bright Tunes so that he would own the rights to both songs. Bright Tunes rejected the offer, and the case went to court. The judge found Harrison guilty of “subconscious plagiarism” in 1976 and ordered him to pay lost royalties. But Klein had a ruthless reputation and made an unexpected move. Having been fired by Harrison in 1973, Klein began pursuing a purchase of Bright Tunes on his own starting around 1975. By 1978, Klein owned the catalog and had effectively switched sides in the case, leaving Harrison stunned. It took several more years of legal wrangling (the case was finally resolved in 1998!), but in 1981, Klein sold Harrison “He’s So Fine” for $587,000. Many experts declared that price to be a steal. Despite the public spectacle, Harrison had few regrets about his copycat hit. “I don’t feel bad or guilty about it,” he wrote in his autobiography. “It saved many a heroin addict’s life. I know the motive behind writing the song in the first place far exceeds the legal hassle.” In fact, the ordeal served as inspiration for his tongue- in-cheek single, “This Song,” released in 1976 — proving that a good artist can find inspiration anywhere.
Georgia Inventions Changing Lives COULD YOU NAME THEM ALL?
The U.S. patent office first opened its doors almost exactly 232 years ago — on July 31, 1790. It was a huge
We’ve been drinking it ever since. You can learn everything you’ve ever wondered about Coke (including the secret formula) at the World of Coca-Cola. THE COTTON GIN — For decades folks believed inventor Eli Whitney out of Savannah, Georgia, designed the cotton gin because he patented it in 1794. However, according to the History Channel, it’s possible we should be crediting the woman he was living with: Catherine Greene. The gin changed the textile industry by offering a quicker way to remove seeds from the cotton plant. According to the Georgia Research Alliance, dozens more groundbreaking inventions are coming out of Georgia universities: • A new method for detecting autism in infants • Groundbreaking treatments for HIV • Super-efficient solar cells • Sensors that can detect an oncoming heart attack • Hydrangeas that bloom multiple times per season Pretty amazing, right? We’re so proud to live in the Peach State and can’t wait to see other innovations the coming years might bring.
step for American innovation. With patents, inventors could protect and monetize their ideas. This led to some truly creative products and services, like traffic lights, hearing aids, and even microwave ovens. Here in Georgia, we have hundreds of creative people working away on their own inventions, and some of them have been smash hits. Here are a few of our state’s most famous innovations from over the years! COCA-COLA — Ahh yes, the biggest soda company on the planet. As every Atlantan knows, Coke was first invented right here in our city in 1886 by pharmacist Dr. John S. Pemberton.
You can always reach Kevin directly at 404.566.8964 or Kevin@PatrickTrialLaw.com. (If you ever need it, his cellphone is 404.409.3160.)
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