Copyright Criminals (2009)
This is a Sampling Sport
54 min
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.
- Release date
- May 21, 2009
- Country of origin
- United States
Trailer
Cast
- D.J. Abilities as Self
- Aesop Rock as Self
- Steve Albini as Self
- Harry Allen as Self
- Anthony Berman as Self
- Matt Black as Self
- Jeff Chang as Self
- Jeff Chang as Self
- Chuck D as Self
- George Clinton as Self
Crew
- Benjamin Franzen · Director
- Kembrew McLeod · Director
- Kembrew McLeod · Writer
- Benjamin Franzen · Cinematographer
- Ross Sebek · Cinematographer
- Benjamin Franzen · Editor