Copyright Criminals (2009)

ALL 05/21/2009 (en) Music, Documentary 65 Min
  • Release
    05/21/2009
  • Production
    Changeing Images
  • Rotten tomato
    68%
  • Original title
    Copyright Criminals
  • Original language
    en
  • Production Cost
  • 0.00
    -

This is a Sampling Sport

Overview

Copyright Criminals examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, including the related debates over artistic expression, copyright law, and (of course) money. This documentary traces the rise of hip-hop from the urban streets of New York to its current status as a multibillion-dollar industry. For more than thirty years, innovative hip-hop performers and producers have been re-using portions of previously recorded music in new, otherwise original compositions. When lawyers and record companies got involved, what was once referred to as a “borrowed melody” became a “copyright infringement.” The film showcases many of hip-hop music’s founding figures like Public Enemy, De La Soul, and Digital Underground—while also featuring emerging hip-hop artists from record labels Definitive Jux, Rhymesayers, Ninja Tune, and more.

  1. Story

  2. Editor



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Casts

Full Cast & Crew

Casts : 17 , Crews : 12

Keyword

Copyright Criminals (2009) 65 Min

ALL 05/21/2009 (en)
Music, Documentary
  • Release 05/21/2009
  • Production
    Changeing Images
  • Original title Copyright Criminals
  • en
  • Revenue0.00

This is a Sampling Sport

Overview

Copyright Criminals examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, including the related debates over artistic expression, copyright law, and (of course) money. This documentary traces the rise of hip-hop from the urban streets of New York to its current status as a multibillion-dollar industry. For more than thirty years, innovative hip-hop performers and producers have been re-using portions of previously recorded music in new, otherwise original compositions. When lawyers and record companies got involved, what was once referred to as a “borrowed melody” became a “copyright infringement.” The film showcases many of hip-hop music’s founding figures like Public Enemy, De La Soul, and Digital Underground—while also featuring emerging hip-hop artists from record labels Definitive Jux, Rhymesayers, Ninja Tune, and more.

  1. Kembrew McLeod, Benjamin Franzen

    Director

  2. Story

  3. Editor

  4. Benjamin Franzen, Kembrew McLeod

    Producer