Beware of Copyrighting

When you hear the word copyrights, the initial thought that comes to mind is using something that doesn’t belong to you. Another term that is frequently used is plagiarism. There are federal copyright laws that protect an individual’s original work. When these laws are violated individuals are entitled to compensation. There have been numerous music-copyrighted cases that have been tried across the country. When plagiarism is identified and proven in court of law compensation is awarded. In other cases both parties reach a settlement agreement.

 Weinhaus & Potashnick reported that, “Michael Bolton was sued by the Isley Brothers for allegedly lifting parts from their original song of the same name and in 1991 Despite Michael Bolton and the co-author of the song’s argument that there was insufficient evidence supporting the jury’s findings, the district court found in favor of the Isley Brothers and left the largest award in history for plagiarism in the music industry intact. The Isley Brothers were awarded 5.4 million dollars, the calculation based on sixty-six percent of past and future royalties. (Also taken into account was twenty-eight percent of the past and future royalties of the album Time, Love and Tenderness as Love is a Wonderful thing is contained within that album).”

Photo taken by Shereen Williams

In a face- to- face interview with Arthur Woodard, a Wilmington, Delaware musician stated that copyrighting happen very often in the music industry. A lot of musicians don’t have the financial means to hire advocates on their behalf. However he agrees with the federal copyrighting laws that are currently in place to protect any original material.

Arthur Woodard Back Front Dwight Williams Right Deja Woodard
Photo Taken By Shereen Williams

Travis L Smith  stated, “In this Case Gordon Jenkins (a song writer and singer) accused Johnny Cash of copying and reproducing a song of his. The two songs were slightly different but when set side by side, most of the lines sounded the same, with the same lyrics even. After 15 years of dispute, this case was actually settled outside of court, Jenkins sued Mr. Cash for defaming him with the song that he originally wrote. This 1968 out of court settlement approached the hundred thousand mark.”

Local New Orleans Band
Phil on drums Shockly left Tony Middle Shawn to the Right
Photo Taken By Shereen Williams