The verdict
Cleared After Dispute
The landmark “subconscious plagiarism” ruling (Bright Tunes v. Harrison). A precisely documented figure trail: an initial $1,599,987 calculation reduced to a final $587,000 judgment in 1981 — exactly what Allen Klein, Harrison’s own former manager, had paid to buy the plaintiff company to keep suing him; Harrison gained ownership of “He’s So Fine” in the settlement.
Quick Facts
Released1970
AlbumAll Things Must Pass
GenreRock, Gospel
LabelApple Records
ProducerGeorge Harrison & Phil Spector
Recorded atAbbey Road / Trident Studios, London
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriter of record — George Harrison
Lapham’s Quarterly → · checked Jul 2026
ABKCO / Allen Klein — Bought the plaintiff company (“He’s So Fine”) in 1978; paid $587,000 in 1981
Legalclarity → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
The defining “subconscious plagiarism” precedent — a multi-decade case (substantively resolved 1981, formally 1998) with a dramatic Allen Klein twist.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Lennon reportedly settled his own borrowing quickly to avoid Harrison’s drawn-out ordeal (this batch)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)George Harrison
A foundational legal precedent — “subconscious plagiarism”Bright Tunes Music (owner of “He’s So Fine”) sued in 1971; the case went to trial in Feb 1976, and on Aug 31, 1976, Judge Richard Owen ruled Harrison had committed “subconscious plagiarism” — writing that “My Sweet Lord” was “the very same song as ‘He’s So Fine’ with different words,” and that unintentional, subconscious copying still constitutes infringement. A landmark, first-of-its-kind ruling still cited today.
An extraordinary, precisely documented figure trailThe damages phase took five more years. The court initially calculated Harrison owed $1,599,987 of the song’s earnings to Bright Tunes. Then, dramatically, Allen Klein — Harrison’s own former manager, since severed — bought Bright Tunes Music itself in 1978 specifically to keep pursuing damages, becoming the plaintiff in his former client’s case. On Feb 19, 1981, the court ordered Harrison to pay Klein’s ABKCO exactly $587,000 — not a fresh calculation, but precisely what Klein had paid to buy Bright Tunes in 1978, effectively reimbursing his acquisition cost while Harrison gained ownership of “He’s So Fine” itself.
The recording (current administrator)Harrisongs Music / Harrison estate; ABKCO owns “He’s So Fine” via the 1981 settlement
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
One of the longest-running lawsuits in US history
Though the core rulings were decided by 1981, ongoing smaller details meant the case didn’t formally conclude until 1998 — one of the longest-running lawsuits in US legal history.
Wikipedia · read it →
Harrison’s gracious reflection
Two years after the ruling, Harrison said the song’s positive effect on listeners “far exceeds any bitching that’s been going on between copyright people,” dismissed the dispute as “just greed and jealousy,” and said plainly, “Give them the song — I don’t care.”
Lapham’s Quarterly · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
The landmark “subconscious plagiarism” case
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
SL
George Harrison (Harrisongs)
The confirmed songwriter of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
Sample something pre-cleared insteadCheck Tracklib →
Find a similar sound that's 100% freeBrowse the catalog →
References
Every source cited on this page — 5 in total
Was this page helpful?
Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 23)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass