More about: Red Hot Chili Peppers

Tom Petty has said that he won’t be suing the Red Hot Chili Peppers over similarities between his track ‘Mary Jane’s Last Dance’ and their single ‘Dani California’.

Last month we reported how a radio station in the US had accused the Chili Peppers of plagiarising Petty’s track for their own.

Press reports in the US suggested that Petty had consulted lawyers and was considering suing the band.

However, he told the Rolling Stone: “The truth is, I seriously doubt that there is any negative intent there. And a lot of rock & roll songs sound alike.”

“Ask Chuck Berry. The Strokes took ‘American Girl’ (for their song’“Last Nite’), and I saw an interview with them where they actually admitted it. That made me laugh out loud. I was like, ‘OK, good for you.’ It doesn’t bother me.”

Asked whether or not he would sue another artist over plagiarism Petty responded: “If someone took my song note for note and stole it maliciously, then maybe.”

“But I don’t believe in lawsuits much. I think there are enough frivolous lawsuits in this country without people fighting over pop songs.”

More about: Red Hot Chili Peppers