The Value of Music: Artist's Perspective

In my research, I have found a few examples of copyright infringement to support the need for licenses. Here I have included a link to the very famous copyright case over Vanilla Ice's “Ice Ice Baby.” The hit rap song released in 1990 samples Queen and David Bowie's 1982 hit “Under Pressure.” Ice admitted that he sampled the song without getting permission and although the case never made it to court, had to pay royalties to Queen and Bowie. The case against Vanilla Ice provides an example of copyright infringement by means of sampling without permission.

A current artist may be charged with a somewhat different type of infringement: Robin Thicke, singer of the hit summer tune “Blurred Lines,” could be charged with being “influenced” buy two Marvin Gaye songs. The case was made by both Gaye's family and Bridgeport Music, who believe that Thicke's song sounded very similar to Gaye's songs “Got to Give It Up” and “Sexy Ways.” The question is: is it considered infringement if Thicke did not directly sample either song? The two ways to commit infringement are to 1) directly copy or sample a song and 2) create a song with substantial similarity to a prior work. So, did Thicke break copyright laws? I, along with others who have viewed this article, have listened to the three songs (Got to Give It Up, Sexy Ways, and Blurred Lines) and believe that Thicke did indeed break copyright laws. “Blurred Lines” sounds strikingly similar to “Got to Give It Up” alone, but when you take “Sexy Ways” into account, there is no doubt that Thicke was, at the very least, inspired by Gaye's songs.

Below I have included some quotes from various artists on their opinions of copyright and the possession of music:

“The absolute transformation of everything that we ever thought about music will take place within 10 years, and nothing is going to be able to stop it. I see absolutely no point in that it's not going to happen. I'm fully confident that copyright, for instance, will no longer exist in 10 years.” -David Bowie (obtained from BrainyQuote) 

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“Music is everybody's possession. It's only publishers who think that people own it.” -John Lennon (BrainyQuote)

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“All good music resembles something. Good music stirs by its mysterious resemblance to objects and feelings which motivated it.” -John Cocteau (BrainyQuote; this one does not necessarily say anything about copyright, but I think it represents a feeling towards the similarity between a pair of songs)

“No, generally I think 'influence' is used as a nice word for plagiarism.” -Gilbert Gottfried (BrainyQuote)

“When I listen to Radio 1 and here five different tracks in a row using old disco samples, well that's plagiarism, that's taking other people's music.” -Jay Kay (BrainyQuote)

As you can see, different artists have different opinions on the idea of copyright. Some believe it will help their careers, but most others do not like the idea of plagiarism.

Tag! You're It is a pop/punk band originating in Phoenix, Arizona. It consists of Josh (guitar/backup vocals), Matt (bass/backup vocals), Reuben (drums), and Sonny (lead vocals). Interview with Tag! You’re It:

            Rhei (RB): “Is music the only source of income for you?”

Tag! You’re It (TYI): “Music is not the only source of income. We all have full-time jobs and attend school during the week days. It helps with funding our goals”

RB: “How are you getting your name out there?”

TYI: “We promote free using social media tools. In addition, we also go to shows, malls, other events to pass out fliers and meet new people.”

RB: “How would you feel about fans downloading your music illegally?”

TYI: “We love the idea of being able to spread our music by any means. Our goal isn't to make money, but to inform and become contagious.”

RB: “Is any of your music available on big sites like iTunes or Spotify? If not, do you want it to be?”

TYI: “Our EP is available on Bandcamp only at this time. Our new full album will be available on iTunes and Spotify. So yes, we do want to be.”

RB: “How do you guys interact as a band? How do you get along?”

TYI: “We have come a long way as friends and as band members. We work all of our issues out be being patient and listening to one and other. Our friendship has grown the strongest it's ever been each and every day. Time has also allowed us to communicate better, which is important.”

RB: “How did your group form?”

TYI: “It's kind of interesting. This band started off with all different members. We have all been in the same friends group for years. It formed by previous members leaving and eventually we replaced their positions with our others friends. Sonny, Josh, and Reuben met almost 5 years ago. Josh and Matt went to school with one and other. Things lined up perfectly, and we have been at it ever since.”

RB: “How many live shows have you played?”

TYI: “We have played a quite a bit of shows. I would have to say 50+ shows. We absolutely love to perform. The feeling is so addicting.”

RB: “How do you/would you split up royalties?”

TYI: “We haven't gotten quite to that point where we've concerned ourselves with money. Primarily because we all went to invest back into Tag! You're It. At this time, everything we make goes back into improving that much more. It's for our growth as a whole, not individually.”

RB: “Do you have any advice for new artists trying to get their names out there?”

TYI: “The best advise we can give is never let anyone say you can't do anything. Anyone can grow with persistence.”