I would not describe myself as an avid Dylan fan, but am nevertheless pleased he has been recognised with such a prestigious award. On a wider front, issues of plagiarism, conscious or unconscious have been apparent in music for several hundred years. At college in the late 60s, one book on my reading list particularly attracted my attention : 'Bach the Borrower' by Norman Carrell (ISBN: 9780313222054). J.S.Bach was blessed with a phenomenal, aural memory, regularly 'borrowing' parts/whole works from unsuspecting organists to whom he listened. Today, Bach's behaviour would line the pockets of copyright lawyers.