Imitation and Inspiration: Where is the line ?🤔

We all know that a lot of times when kpop groups release a song or an album that sounds eerily like a genre or song from POCs we get the "it’s inspired by xyz" and then as soon as groups say that fans wear it as a badge of defence against plagiarism or general concern. For me saying this and then it being paired with certain behaviours kinda makes me side eye whether it’s inspired or just complete imitation of an artist you like (along with other things)

So like the title suggests since I feel like inspiration and imitation get mixed up what would be some examples of inspiration of music claimed by fans and kpop groups alike and then what are some examples of imitation (as well as non kpop examples) I would like to say that I want this discussion to be educational and completely in good faith cause I genuinely feel like having examples would be helpful.

Also feel free to write your thoughts on the topic 🤎

(I kinda of realise that post may cause fans wars if most of the examples are just music outside of kpop I completely understand, I lowkey try to keep my post/comments as vague as possible for this reason 💀 I HATE fanwars with a passion)