Plagiarism Case Studies

Plagiarism has real consequences—lawsuits, lost money, damaged reputations, and public embarrassment. These true stories show what happens when famous authors, musicians, and leaders are caught copying. See what’s at stake when you don’t give credit.

Roots, Acclaimed Novel Plagiarism

Alex Haley from BlackPast.org, CC BY-SA 4.0
Alex Haley from BlackPast.org, CC BY-SA 4.0
Year: 1978
Amount: $650,000
Outcome: Settled out of court; public acknowledgment of plagiarism.

Video source: YouTube

Audio source: iTunes Store preview

Haley v. Courlander (1978). Author Alex Haley was sued by Harold Courlander for plagiarizing passages in his novel Roots from Courlander’s earlier novel The African. The case was settled out of court for $650,000 (over $2 million in today’s currency), and Haley issued a statement acknowledging the use of Courlander’s work.

Reference: Haley v. Courlander, 84 F.R.D. 366 (S.D.N.Y. 1978).

George Harrison, Musical Plagiarism

George Harrison Schipol Airport, CC BY-SA 4.0
George Harrison Schipol Airport, CC BY-SA 4.0
Year: 1976
Amount: $587,000
Outcome: Found guilty of subconscious plagiarism; damages awarded.

Audio source: iTunes Store preview

Bright Tunes Music Corp. v. Harrisongs Music (1976). Former Beatle George Harrison was found guilty of “subconsciously” plagiarizing Ronnie Mack’s 1963 song He’s So Fine in his 1970 hit My Sweet Lord. Harrison was ordered to pay $587,000 in damages. Reference: Bright Tunes Music Corp. v. Harrisongs Music, Ltd., 420 F. Supp. 177 (S.D.N.Y. 1976).

Reference: Bright Tunes Music Corp. v. Harrisongs Music, Ltd., 420 F. Supp. 177 (S.D.N.Y. 1976).

Taylor Swift, Music Copyright Lawsuit

Taylor Swift MTV Music Awards, CC BY-SA 4.0
Taylor Swift MTV Music Awards, CC BY-SA 4.0
Year: 2025
Amount: $10,000,000 or more sought
Outcome: Pending/ongoing litigation.

Audio source: iTunes Store preview

In April 2025, poet Kimberly Marasco filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Taylor Swift. The lawsuit alleged that Swift incorporated elements of Marasco’s poetry into several songs, including The Man and My Tears Ricochet, seeking “tens of millions of dollars” in damages.

Reference: MSN. (2025). Taylor Swift's legal odyssey: Unpacking the Shake It Off copyright resolution, industry repercussions, and emerging 2025 courtroom dramas.

Pete Hegseth, Academic Misconduct

Pete Hegseth Official Portrait, CC BY-SA 4.0
Pete Hegseth Official Portrait, CC BY-SA 4.0
Year: 2025
Amount: N/A
Outcome: Accused of plagiarism in senior thesis; academic misconduct investigation.

In May 2025, Princeton graduate and future Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was accused of plagiarizing portions of his senior thesis. Reference: News source on 2025 academic misconduct cases.

Reference: News source on 2025 academic misconduct cases.

Real Scenarios - Real Consequences

Situation Without Proper Reference With Proper Reference
College Paper F grade, academic probation A grade, professor respect
Work Presentation Fired for plagiarism Promoted for thorough research
Blog Post Copyright lawsuit Professional credibility
Social Media Account suspended Influencer partnership