Michael Jackson a Gulty Plagarist 1

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Michael Jackson a Guilty Plagiarist Sherry Bolden Michael Jackson a Guilty Plagiarist It is hard to believe one of the world’s most talented musicians of our time was accused of plagiarism. The late Michael Jackson was found guilty by the courts in Rome Italy in May of 1999. His song “Will You Be There” from the album “Dangerous” released in 1993 was compared to the song “I Cigni Di Balaka” meaning “The Swans of Balaka” by the Italian composer Al Bano Carrisi recorded in 1986. The prosecutors provided proof that Jackson’s song was almost one and the same to Carrisi’s song in “melody and harmonic structure, with a sequence of 37 out of 38 notes identical.” Plagiarism is a criminal offense in Italy. Michael Jackson’s fine was suspended because he had no other convictions. Though a fine of $1,950 us dollars was dropped, “Jackson was ordered to pay costs and civil damages.” The asking price from Carrisi’s legal team was approximately 2 million dollars. Are there other songs before Jackson and Carrisi accusing both composers of plagiarism? Celebrities like Michael Jackson are accused of different forms of plagiarism every day. It could be the melody, lyrics, harmony, and choreography. Their punishment appears to be more severe by costing them their reputation and their money. Practicing academic honesty affects everyone no matter who you are. Entertainers, students, and business professionals need to understand the importance of academic honesty. Academic honesty is living by a standard as a student especially in higher learning as a mature adult. It is committing to be “honest, trustworthy, fair, respectful, and responsible.” It is a way of life for all walks of life. Cheating and other forms of dishonesty to include plagiarism are at “epidemic proportions.” Plagiarism is common at the University level. It is using another person’s words as

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