As a musician, IP law is anathema to the development and expression of culture. As musicians we are raised on music in the public domain (classical music, folk songs), we cover bands that are inspirational to us, we reference famous melodies or ideas in our work. It isn’t all just cold-hearted capitalist thievery. Quotation used to be a normal aspect of music (even the greats like Beethoven did it) but it you get organizations like the Marvin Gaye estate who frivolously sue any artist who even considers referencing his music. What does that leave culture? Is it a good likelihood that Gaye’s music will have as much staying power over the centuries if his estate fights bitterly to quash his music from being referenced and disseminated?
As a musician, IP law is anathema to the development and expression of culture. As musicians we are raised on music in the public domain (classical music, folk songs), we cover bands that are inspirational to us, we reference famous melodies or ideas in our work. It isn’t all just cold-hearted capitalist thievery. Quotation used to be a normal aspect of music (even the greats like Beethoven did it) but it you get organizations like the Marvin Gaye estate who frivolously sue any artist who even considers referencing his music. What does that leave culture? Is it a good likelihood that Gaye’s music will have as much staying power over the centuries if his estate fights bitterly to quash his music from being referenced and disseminated?