A judge in America has dismissed a lawsuit which accused U2 of lifting part of a British songwriter's work for a song on their 1991 album 'Achtung Baby'.

According to Reuters, Paul Rose claimed that U2 willfully copied from a 13-second guitar riff near the start of his 1989 instrumental 'Nae Slappin' and used it for a 12-second segment featuring a guitar solo for its song 'The Fly'.

Rose stated that the song had been copied  “virtually note-for-note,” using the same style tambourine and the same drum, percussion and bass line without permission.

The judge, however, refused the claim and said that even if the riff was protected, a jury wouldn't have enough proof to suggest that U2 copied it.  

Rose had been seeking at least $5 million in damages from U2 lead singer Bono; bandmates The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr., and UMG Recordings Inc.

Have a listen for yourself and make up your own mind. 

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There's a similar sound there alright.

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