Posted by John Pappajohn on June 22, 2002, 6:29 am If I recall correctly, the 'My Sweet Lord' case was settled in favor of the holder of the Chiffons' "He's So Fine" so quickly because Harrison readily conceded the similarlity, believing that he probably patterned 'MSL' after 'HSF' subconciously. A later case concerned infringement in the theme song from Ghostbusters. The holders of Huey Lewis' 'I Want a New Drug' sued, and won. What helped make this case was a memo from someone (the movie's producer?) asking the songwriter for a song similar to 'IWAND' -- basically, a paper trail. (This is from what I recall hearing form a recording engineer I knew at the time -- I may have details wrong/missing). I think you are right that the risk of getting sued is proportional to the number of records you're selling. Being a blues musician, I don't think I have much to worry about! I think you're also right that the folk tradition of the blues would make for a slightly more relaxed standard. The question is, how relaxed? I believe I will take your advice and consult a copyright lawyer -- I know one through a friend. Thanks, John --Previous Message--
George,
: : --Previous Message--
: George,
: Your post couldn't have been better-timed --
: I too am getting ready to record and
: release a CD.
: Do you (or anyone else) know any guidelines
: on this.
: Specifically, how substantial do the changes
: have to be?
: I realize this is a difficult thing to put a
: number on (i.e., who can say how different
: Robert Johnson's "32-20 Blues"
: is from Skip James' "44-20
: Blues").
: Any info/opinions are appreciated.
: John
: . . . if you run
: into problems with copyright stuff
: consider doing what Robert Johnson did . .
: . make some minor changes, write some
: verses of your own and make them originals
: . . . (like it's that easy!)
: : : : Hi John . .
: I am certainly not the guy to answer those
: kind of questions . . . I know enought to
: be dangerous to myself and others who
: might listen . . . I took a couple of law
: classes with great interest . . . that's
: my only background . . .
: My favorite case on this kind of thing
: developed over a suite filed by the
: Shirelles (?) or those who owned the song
: that was so similar to George Harrision's
: My Sweat Lord . . . If I remember
: correctly this got settled so no new law
: was actually forged (no pun intended . .
: ok so it was) . . . a lot of the issue has
: to do with how strong is the owner of
: anything which you have borrowed on
: heavily and how much you make on it . . .
: Blues is particularly interesting because the
: tradition of it all is heavily based on
: the borrowing and extending of musical
: ideas . . . most often taught player to
: player . . .
: I'd advise a consultation with a lawyer
: specialized in this sort of thing . . .
: I'm gonna guess that either way, you won't
: have to spend much $ . . . if you prodeed
: cautiously . . .
: a lot of help I am ;-)
:
:
:
Responses: