MUAI 201 Musical Copyright Law (2024)

Musical copyright law is a complex and rapidly changing part of United States Law. It has existed for almost the nation’s entire lifespan, from 1790 onwards, with notable changes happening between 1976 and the present day. One such change involves the legal implications of sampling, including timing, stipulations, and vigorous agreements. The internet’s emergence complicated the task of determining whether works are “transformative” without entirely undermining strong fair use agreements. AI complicated the situation further, especially in determining ownership of art pieces. Because AI was introduced so quickly, legal determinations have lagged. One example of individual artists getting into legal battles over alleged stolen ideas is Chiffons v. George Harrison, while UMG v. TikTok involved a corporate legal dispute.