Copyright Criminals
Copyright Criminals
PG-13 | 21 May 2009 (USA)
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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.

Reviews
filippaberry84

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

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Bea Swanson

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

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Roy Hart

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

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Janis

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

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Eyal Matsliah (eyalnow)

This documentary was made in the spirit of hip hop, by people who obviously know, understand, love and appreciate hip hop and the ideas that are presented by and through it. It was touching to see Clyde Stubblefield - James Brown's ex drummer - who was the creator of funky drummer - the most sampled piece of music - who is happy for others using his creation, does not care about the money, and only as a side note mentions that some gratitude would have been appropriate, but doesn't make a big deal out of it. It was also nice to hear views which are against sampling, with one of them being something like "sampling isn't creative, but in anyway the law should not be involved". Highly recommended to anyone who likes Hip-Hop, Rap, R&B or even popular music.

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