Copyright Criminals

May 21, 2009

1h 5m

★ 6.8

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.

Genres

Music

Documentary

Production Companies

Changeing Images

Copyright Criminals Trailers

Cast

Self

Aesop Rock

Self

George Clinton

Self

Chuck D

Self

El-P

Self

Sage Francis

Self

Pam the Funsktress

Self

Bobbito Garcia

Self

Miho Hatori

Self

Shock G

Self

Mix Master Mike

Self

Prefuse 73

Self

DJ Q-Bert

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