Copyright Criminals

Copyright Criminals

2009
1h 5m
6.8

6.8/10

9 votes • View on IMDb
Music Documentary

"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.

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Status: Released

Language: EN

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Production Information

Production Companies
Changeing Images
Production Countries
United States of America
Spoken Languages
English

Keywords

hip-hop copyright

Quick Facts

Release Date May 21, 2009
Status Released
Language EN
IMDb ID tt1503770
Website Visit Site

Cast

Aesop Rock
Aesop Rock

Self

George Clinton
George Clinton

Self

Chuck D
Chuck D

Self

El-P
El-P

Self

Sage Francis
Sage Francis

Self

Pam the Funsktress
Pam the Funsktress

Self

Bobbito Garcia
Bobbito Garcia

Self

Miho Hatori
Miho Hatori

Self

Shock G
Shock G

Self

Mix Master Mike
Mix Master Mike

Self

Prefuse 73
Prefuse 73

Self

DJ Q-Bert
DJ Q-Bert

Self

Key Crew

Kembrew McLeod
Director
Benjamin Franzen
Director
Kembrew McLeod
Executive Producer
Kembrew McLeod
Producer
Benjamin Franzen
Producer
Kembrew McLeod
Writer