https://www.youtube.com/live/-8IdJTtFx5w?feature=shareThings were simpler back in the day when rappers sampled (copied and pasted) music from classic funk and RnB songs. For example, Tupac’s “Dear Mama” sampled music from The Spinners’ hit “Sadie” written by Joseph Jefferson, Bruce Hawes and Charles Simmons. Tupac’s record company paid a licensing fee to the copyright owners of Sadie and everyone made money. In the 21st century music business, however, producers and musicians are using the same chords, key, and tempo of classic hits, sometimes inserting a slightly different melody and lyrics and calling it an original work instead of a derivative work. Unless the original songwriters or if deceased, their families or estate have enough money to hire experienced intellectual property lawyers to sue, the artist who copied the original song gets away with it. So when Ben Trump announced he was representing the daughter of Ed Townsend, co-writer along with Marvin Gaye of “Let’s get it on,” I initially thought he was just one attorney on a “dream team” because hiring Ben Trump alone to represent you in an intellectual property lawsuit is like hiring a foot doctor to perform brain surgery. The podiatrist may be great at removing a fragment of glass from your foot, but he’s not a qualified board certified neurological surgeon. Ben Crump’s loss in the Ed Sheeran copyright infringement trial exemplifies why you shouldn’t hire a personal injury, civil rights attorney to represent you in an intellectual property lawsuit.
In addition to being a songwriter, Ed Townsend was also a lawyer. If he were alive, would he have told his daughter, Kathryn Townsend Griffin to retain an experienced copyright trial attorney to represent her? Probably, because attorneys know that it takes years of trial practice and continuing education in a particular area of law to gain and maintain expertise.
Copy this link and check out the exciting, entertaining and educational (TM) episode of The Aria Elan Show for more details on this topic. https://www.youtube.com/live/-8IdJTtFx5w?feature=share
Peace and One Love…
Aria
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