What is a famous example of copyright?

Asked by: Kailee Schinner Sr.  |  Last update: May 17, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (23 votes)

A famous example of copyright is the lawsuit involving Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby," which copied the bassline from Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure," leading to an out-of-court settlement recognizing the original artists' copyright. Other well-known examples include the Napster case, which highlighted digital music piracy, and the dispute over Shepard Fairey's "HOPE" poster infringing on an Associated Press photograph.

What is an example of a famous copyright?

At the top of most famous copyright cases lists is that of rock legends David Bowie and Queen against rapper Vanilla Ice. If you've ever heard the opening seconds of Ice's 1990 hit "Ice Ice Baby" and thought it could be Queen and Bowie's "Under Pressure," you wouldn't be alone.

What is a good example of copyright?

Once you create an original work and fix it, like taking a photograph, writing a poem or blog, or recording a new song, you are the author and the owner. Companies, organizations, and other people besides the work's creator can also be copyright owners.

Does Coca-Cola have a copyright?

Coca-Cola also owns the copyright on their ads and jingles, and the creative copy on their bottles. Unless your use meets a Fair Use standard, you are not allowed to use their copy without receiving their permission!

Is Ice Ice Baby copyrighted?

Vanilla Ice initially denied that his song "Ice Ice Baby" sampled the bassline from Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure," citing an extra beat as the difference. Queen and Bowie filed a copyright infringement lawsuit, which resulted in an out-of-court settlement granting them songwriting credits and royalties.

Billboard Explains: Music Copyright Lawsuits

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Is Justin Bieber's music copyrighted?

Bieber's publishing copyrights, songwriter's ownership, master recordings and all rights of his entire catalog of recordings made through 2021 are now owned by Hipgnosis. That covers 290 titles, including hits like “Peaches” “Beauty and the Beat” music that Bieber has been releasing since he was 13.

Why did Queen sue Vanilla Ice?

Queen and David Bowie sued Vanilla Ice for copyright infringement because his hit song "Ice Ice Baby" used the iconic bassline from their song "Under Pressure" without permission, which he only admitted to after initially denying it, leading to a settlement where they received songwriting credits and royalties. After the massive success of "Ice Ice Baby," Queen and Bowie's legal team threatened a lawsuit over the unauthorized sample, forcing an out-of-court settlement that gave them credit and a share of the profits.
 

Is Pepsi copyrighted?

Later, on June 16, 1903, “Pepsi-Cola” became an official registered trademark. The brand quickly gained popularity with its distinctive cola flavor and marketing initiatives. Pepsi has consistently showcased its iconic red, white, and blue circular logo, which has become a symbol of refreshment and youthful spirit.

What if I invested $1000 in Coca-Cola 10 years ago?

Investing $1,000 in Coca-Cola (KO) stock about 10 years ago (around early 2016) would have grown to roughly $2,000 to $2,300 by mid-2025, considering stock appreciation and reinvested dividends, representing a decent return but often underperforming the broader S&P 500 over that same decade, though Coca-Cola Consolidated (COKE) (a bottler) performed exceptionally well. Returns vary slightly depending on the exact date and calculation, but generally, you'd have more than doubled your money, with figures around $2,323 (132% gain) or $2,029 (103% gain) cited for the decade ending mid-2025, while PepsiCo (PEP) would have yielded even more.
 

Can you put your name on a Coke bottle?

Yes, you can order personalized Coca-Cola bottles with names through the official Coca-Cola Store website for events, gifts, or personal use, using their "Share a Coke" customization feature for glass bottles or cans, with options for bulk orders and specific text approval. You enter names online, but they must meet guidelines (no businesses, politics, or inappropriate terms) and undergo review.
 

What is the most common copyright?

Creative Commons licenses are applied by the copyright owner to their own works. These are the most prominently used licenses of their type in the world. There are four components to the licenses that are arranged in six configurations: BY - attribution required.

What famous movie has copyright infringement cases?

The Hangover Part II (2011)

The lawsuit against S. Victor Whitmill was for copyright infringement, where the tattoo acts as the abstract element that was unfairly used by Warner Bros. Whitmill ended up on the winning side as Warner Bros. privately agreed to settle for an undisclosed amount.

What are 5 specific items that are likely to be copyrighted?

The subject matter eligible for protection is set forth in the Copyright Act of 1976. Copyrightable works include literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works such as books, plays, music, lyrics, paintings, sculptures, video games, movies, sound recordings, and software.

Did Ed Sheeran copyright?

The jury reached its decision after less than three hours of deliberation. They found that Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud had been created independently and therefore did not infringe the copyright of Let's Get It On.

What famous song has no copyright?

Famous copyright-free songs are typically very old tunes now in the public domain, like nursery rhymes ("Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"), traditional carols ("Jingle Bells," "Silent Night"), patriotic songs ("Yankee Doodle"), and early 20th-century hits ("Take Me Out to the Ball Game," "Happy Birthday" - though its lyrics were tricky for a while). For modern, usable music, creators often use royalty-free libraries like YouTube's Audio Library, NCS on Spotify, SoundCloud, or PremiumBeat, featuring popular genres from electronic to cinematic tracks.
 

What are some examples of copyright?

A copyright example includes a © 2026 Jane Doe notice on a website, protecting original works like a novel, song, photograph, or software code from unauthorized use, granting the creator exclusive rights to reproduce or distribute it, though some uses (like critiques or parodies) might fall under fair use.
 

What if I invested $10,000 in Apple in 1990?

Investing $10,000 in Apple (AAPL) stock in 1990 would have yielded an astronomical return, making you a multimillionaire many times over by today, with calculations suggesting it would be worth tens of millions of dollars (or potentially over $100 million with dividends reinvested) due to incredible growth, stock splits, and the success of products like the iPhone, though exact figures vary slightly based on calculation dates and dividend reinvestment, Yahoo Finance. 

How did Coca-Cola lose 4 billion dollars?

Coca-Cola lost billions in market value in June 2021 after soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo moved two Coke bottles aside at a press conference, urging people to drink water ("Agua!") instead, highlighting health consciousness and potentially impacting the heavily sponsored brand during the Euro 2020 tournament. The incident, followed by a significant dip in stock price, sparked widespread discussion about corporate sponsorship, health, and celebrity influence, though analysts debated the exact cause and long-term effect.
 

What if I invested $1000 in Tesla 5 years ago?

Investing $1,000 in Tesla five years ago (around April 2019) would have yielded substantial returns, with estimates suggesting it could be worth over $8,000 to over $9,000 by early 2024, due to significant stock growth, though this value fluctuates greatly with market volatility and past performance isn't a guarantee of future gains. For example, a $1,000 investment in April 2019 at roughly $18.22/share could have grown to around $8,862 by April 2024, a roughly 10x increase, highlighting huge growth despite recent slowdowns, according to The Motley Fool and Nasdaq. 

Is Gatorade copyrighted?

The word GATORADE is a trademark, but it is also displayed here in a distinctive font and color. Such a display of the word in a “stylized” form is also a mark.

Who is richer, Coke or Pepsi?

Coca-Cola (KO) is generally considered "worth" more in terms of market capitalization and brand value, while PepsiCo (PEP) generates significantly higher overall revenue due to its broader food and snack portfolio (Frito-Lay, Quaker Oats) alongside beverages. Recent financial data (late 2024/mid-2025) shows Coke leading in market cap and profitability, but PepsiCo's diversified model often makes it a strong contender, though its stock has faced recent challenges, creating a wide valuation gap in Coke's favor. 

Can I mention Coca-Cola in my book?

Editors are frequently asked whether it's permissible for writers to mention product or business names in books. The short answer is yes.

Did David Bowie and Freddie Mercury get along?

Their friendship had always carried a mix of respect and rivalry. Mercury admired Bowie's endless reinvention, from Ziggy Stardust to Young Americans to Heroes. Bowie, in turn, saw Mercury's unmatched command of the stage and his ability to transform rock into something operatic.

Did Ice Ice Baby ever get sued?

Queen and David Bowie sued Vanilla Ice claiming that the bass line in "Ice Ice Baby" was a direct copy of "Under Pressure." Vanilla Ice argued that they weren't the same because he added an extra beat. The court ruled in Queen and Bowie's favor and Vanilla Ice had to pay an undisclosed sum.

What song did Ice Ice Baby copy?

Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby" copied the iconic bassline from the song "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie, initially without crediting them, leading to a copyright infringement lawsuit and a later settlement where Queen and Bowie received songwriting credits and royalties. Vanilla Ice famously denied it at first, claiming he added an extra beat, but later admitted the sampling and settled the legal dispute.