John Fogerty Defeated Self-Plagiarism Claim

In July 1985, Fantasy Records sued former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty, claiming his solo song "The Old Man Down the Road" copied the band's 1970 song "Run Through the Jungle." Although Fogerty wrote both songs, Fantasy owned the copyright to the earlier recording, turning the case into a surreal accusation that he had plagiarized himself. A jury rejected the infringement claim in 1988. After the Supreme Court changed the standard for awarding fees to successful copyright defendants in 1994, a district court awarded Fogerty $1,347,519.15 in attorney's fees, which an appeals court upheld in 1996.

Previous Fact Next Fact