Wk 1 Blog Comment 1: Copyright Issues

Melissa Lodhi

Image courtesy of Morguefile

I find the issues surrounding copyright law fascinating.  I am particularly interested because much of my career revolves around these laws.  As a professional choreographer, my own intellectual property is protected but I run into massive risks when using music to accompany my work.  Trying to publish or share my work is impossible without original music, which is unaffordable in most cases.  The video “Good Copy, Bad Copy” was eye-opening.  I am extremely baffled by how so many artists are able to produce work that is technically infringing on copyright.  It sounds like all remixes and remakes of songs are stealing intellectual property.  Copyright law is a jumble of pitfalls and loopholes.  In order to pay artists for their work, all 3000 songs on my iPod have been purchased on hardcopy or through iTunes, but I have on many occasions used the work of artists as accompaniment for my work which is technically a no-no.  

@Melissa...

I understand your concern over copyright issues with the music you select for your dance shows.  I face the same issues when I select material for my speech team members to perform.  As we take 8-10 minute cuttings from longer length literature, we are always in fear of some author coming back at us for changing his intent by our adaptation, or just because we performed his selection without permission.  It is even more of a challenge due to the publication of so much material on the internet. 

I think of George Harrison losing in court for "stealing" the melody of "My Sweet Lord" and how ridiculous it seemed to me at the time.  At some point, every conceivable way to arrange notes will be used; will that be the end of new music?

You really hit the nail on the head with your term "perplexing." It really is!