Copyright and the Music Industry

The course surveys traditional copyright issues such as natural and positive law, originality, derivatives, public domain, parody, authorship, fair use, and infringement, with emphasis on the unique nature of music copyright – including layered ownership rights, digital media, partial Federal preemption, business models incorporated into copyright statutes, compulsory licenses and royalties, and reactions to developments in technology. Research emphasis will be encouraged for current music copyright issues arising from digital media – such as unauthorized downloading, sampling, mashup and remix works, business models for music distribution, and statutory models for balancing the rights of owners and users of current music and music technology. However, research in any topic that intersects music and copyright law is welcome.