A judge ruled that Sam Smyth's song "Stay with Me" is too similar to Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down". Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne (the composers of "I Won't Back Down") are now listed as co-writers of the song, and will receive royalties.
Judge for yourself. It's a different tempo and feel, but the notes in the chorus do appear to be the same...
I do believe Smyth when he says he didn't do intentionally. I also believed George Harrison during the "My Sweet Lord" lawsuit. When you're creating something, you don't even realize sometimes that the inspiration comes from someone else. Honestly, it could happen to anyone.
