If i make a sample that sounds like another sample can they sue me?

If i make a sample beat or any type of beat that sounds really like someone elses sample beat can i be done for copyright infringement? I know that in the EDM industry they share samples all the time, and don't really care if you make bootlegs but you get the odd trash talker that refers one artists beat to another, then the artist begins to think it also... so im wondering if there is any point trying to copyright a sample as well as want to know how far you can go with using other peoples melody's etc?