A court in Germany has told electronic band Kraftwerk that a producer who sampled one of their songs was not violating copyright.
The ruling overturns an earlier decision against Moses Pelham's use of a short sample from Metal on Metal.
Judges in Berlin said the two second extract did not infringe copyright, as his song was substantially different.
The move will come as a blow to artists who object to rivals using samples of their work to create new songs.
Kraftwerk's case was originally heard in a state court in Hamburg.
It ruled in Kraftwerk's favour and said reusing even the shortest bit of a song infringed copyright.
In light of today's ruling, the Hamburg court will now have to take up the case again.
The Kraftwerk sample appeared in the rhythm section of a song Pelham produced for German rapper Sabrina Setlur in 1997.
^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~35~RS~)