First off, copyright, as noted from Nathan Bamey of Expert Village, is a form of protection for original works in a tangible medium of expression. In other words, if you create it, you have the right to protect it as your own. Items that are protected are musical recordings, works of art, or architectural designs. Not everything is not subject to copyright. Improvisational works, titles, slogans, or items of common property are examples.
Copyrights are not forever. For an author, a copyright can last their lifetime plus an additional 70 years. For a company, a copyright has a duration of 100 years. All of this does depend on the type of work, the date of origination, and countless other factors.
What was very interesting to me was the last video. I have known about sampling for a number of years. Listening to many R&B and Hip Hop tracks over the years, many I have found to be unoriginal, thinking back to "what song did they take?" I did not know that filmakers have made a documentary about this process and so many people that I would have never imagined having a hand in hip hop. I think that it is something that will continue for years to come, seeing that it is easier to me a "beat maker" with all of the programs and technology available. It is so easy to be a musician today without knowing how to play an instrument or read a music note!
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| Picture via creativecommons.org |
Interesting observations, particularly the last one about recording artists who cannot play a musical instrument. I always used to think that in order to break the rules you have to master the rules, such that jazz and modern musicians, unlike the samplers and DJs, have spent many many years learning Bach, Betthoven, Mozart and music from the Broadway hit Cats.
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