Copyright Criminals

Watching the screening of "Copyright Criminals" was very interesting. It showcases the fact that we are currently going through a point in time of utmost importance pertaining to art versus the law. I think it will be interesting to look back on this point in time once this all gets figured out, that is, IF it ever gets figured out. I wonder if this will someday be looked upon as, for a lack of better terms, "The Man" trying to hold back a wave of new artists that are on the verge of something new. Sure, this battle has been going on for about 15-20 years, which seems like a long time to us, but in timeline of the world, this time frame is just a blip on the radar. The most important battles take a long time to get through, therefore they are always remembered. Depending on who "wins," though, the way people in the future look at it can be very different. If "The Man" wins, though there will always be people sampling other pieces of music, will it ever be as widespread as it is today? If the artists somehow find a way to keep making their art without fear of law suits and copyright laws, will sampling become as big as things like painting and drawing?

This has the possibility for everyone that wants a chance to make their own music using samples to do it. Want to make a painting? Do you have paper? Do you have paint? Do you have brushes? Yeah? Then go for it. On the same level, want to make music? Have a computer? No problem, all you need is some software and some music to start with. This is already becoming evident now. With the style of mash-ups becoming so popular (with the help of Dangermouse's "Grey Album" and the albums of Girl Talk), more and more "Average Joes" are attempting to make their own music in a similar fashion.

But success is a different story. Anyone can buy a cook book, put everything together perfectly, make it taste absolutely wonderful, but does that make you a chef? Of course not. Will throwing samples and beats together make you a successful musician? In the same sense, not at all. The successful chefs are the ones that are out there creating new and exciting meals for people to enjoy, and the same goes for the people making music using sampling in a new way.