One of the key attributes that many artists possess is the ability to see things in a different way from most people. They take something from one context and give it a whole new meaning by putting it into a different one. An example is Andy Warhol’s famous Campbell’s...
Intellectual Property
How to avoid copyright infringement when using social media
As a business owner, you know how valuable social media can be when trying to reach new customers. However, if you aren’t careful, the content or images you post may expose your business to legal issues. Learning the copyright laws related to content and images is...
Can you stop people from using your song on TikTok?
One of the most popular things to do on TikTok is to make lipsync videos. People will play the actual audio from a song, but then they’ll record a video of themselves singing along. Sometimes there will be words on the screen or other effects. They do this simply to...
Can you prevent a politician from using your music?
We’ve all seen it: A politician comes onto the stage at an event to the music of an artist we’re pretty sure doesn’t share that politician’s views. The songwriter may speak out publicly and demand that the politician stop using their music, but they don’t. Sometimes...
Where do the limitations of sampling end?
Sampling is a commonly known music term for taking a portion of a sound recording and using it to inspire a new song. Many musicians were fond of this creative liberty during the rise of early hip hop music. Today, sampling is used more now than ever, from uses in...
The internet has led to massive art theft
In the pre-internet era, art theft meant stealing a physical item. A painter would create a work and then have it stored at their studio, or sent to a museum or gallery, and anyone looking to steal it would have to take the physical item from that location. Naturally,...
Maintain creative control of your music in your record deal
You are a passionate music artist who has been honing your talent for years. You made the rounds on SoundCloud and YouTube, playing gigs at nightclubs and local festivals, and now the thing you’ve been waiting and wishing for has finally come: the option for a record...
Music industry changes affect artists’ copyright protections
The music industry has gone through many changes since the days of Elvis and the Beatles. From vinyl records to reel-to-reel and then 8-track tapes, to cassettes and then CDs – and now streaming digital music content – musicians, groups and other performers have been...
Cease and desist letters are a major step in copyright cases
Maybe you work in the entertainment industry and have a song that someone else has sampled in a promotional video for their business? Perhaps you create original works of digital art or write creative essays and struggle with people republishing your original works...
Can a video blogger sample your music online without paying?
Not that long ago, young children would happily declare that they wanted to be professional athletes or movie stars when they grew up. These days, many children want to be influencers or internet video celebrities. There is a massive audience of people who hang on...