Final answer:
The Thicke and Williams copyright infringement case was considered significant within the music industry due to its precedent-setting nature, involvement of popular musicians, and highlighting of the issue of plagiarism in music.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Thicke and Williams copyright infringement case was considered significant within the music industry for several reasons. First, it set a precedent for similar cases by reinforcing the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in the music industry. Second, it involved highly popular musicians, Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke, which generated significant media attention and public interest. Lastly, it highlighted the issue of plagiarism in music and sparked discussions about the boundaries of fair use in creative works.