Vanilla Ice Vs. David Bowie/Freddie Mercury Copyright Infringement Case

In 1991 rap artist 'Vanilla Ice' published 'Ice, Ice Baby." Which sampled but did not credit David Bowie/Freddie Mercury as the original author of the guitar in the background of the song. Vanilla Ice denied this but then later confessed when faced with a lawsuit from David Bowie/Freddie Mercury. The case was settled privately out of court with Vanilla Ice giving David Bowie/ Freddie Mercury an undisclosed amount of money and crediting him with the riff in the song.

          Personally, I think the case was justified if you listen to both songs the riff is exactly the same. David Bowie/Freddie Mercury had every right to sue for copyright infringement since Vanilla Ice didn't even give credit where credit was literally due. David Bowie/ Freddy Mercury created the riff and once a song, writing, or anything is tangible it is protected by copyright law and the song was most definitely not in Public Domain yet. Honestly, I'm surprised how calmly they handled it out of court when Vanilla Ice confessed by simply having Vanilla Ice pay them him his deserved money and crediting him!
 Link to Article