Court Rules Against Unlicensed Sampling

An anonymous reader writes "Looks like there is no room at all for *any* sampling of "commercially protected" music. According to the open and future-looking judges, 'Get a license or do not sample. We do not see this as stifling creativity in any significant way.'" As the article puts it, this includes "minor, unrecognisable snippets of music." The decision was in the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Comments

Cage

[jefu]

So now John Cage's estate will be able to sue anyone who has any amount of silence in their music, since it could be argued that they'd sampled his piece 4' 33". OK, its a stretch, but with decisions like this, who knows?

Just asking to be made fun of...

[BrynM]

Now that artists can't sample even single notes, I have a suggestion for fellow musicians: When you sample, please be sure to make fun of the original work and this ruling in your song. Then you may be able to claim protection as a parody and you could bring some of this silliness to public attention.

Imagine the young artists and DJs that we will never hear because they can't afford to clear the rights to release their first album. The idea that this high cost of entry into what are already accepted music genres won't stifle innovation is stupid. The field just got closed to those with money and attorneys.