Copy right claim, Yes or No, what do you think?

[BesaMoogie]

So Ed Sheeran is getting sued for copying music. As an occasional songwriter, I was wondering where you guys would draw the line and if this is justified?

It`s one little part of the song (like 6 seconds) that has the same chord progression and same rhythm and groove/tempo. However, the lyrics and melody are different and of course, the key. After that part, the songs change in different directions and you would probably never her assume any similarities.

 

[MadAsAHatter]

Most songs sound the same anyway...

 

[Findthetone1]

I think the burden of proof would be whether or not he intentionally did it or whether it was an unconscious influence. It does sound pretty close in terms of chords and tempo. But at this point in the game of music, it'd be pretty hard not to cross the lines at some point. There's decades of modern music now. How many times have any of us been ripping riffs only to stop for a minute and go "you know, that sounds like_______"

 

[SpiderWars]

I think it's bullshit but that's coming from a person that EVERY thing I ever write sounds like something else. It's why I've written exactly 0 songs in over 45 years of playing. I can always find a link to another song.

And is there a time limit on these things? Nobody is taking money from Marvin Gaye. If I copy Beethoven is some Beethoven estate going to come after me?

 

[Findthetone1]

I think it's bullshit but that's coming from a person that EVERY thing I ever write sounds like something else. It's why I've written exactly 0 songs in over 45 years of playing. I can always find a link to another song.

And is there a time limit on these things? Nobody is taking money from Marvin Gaye. If I copy Beethoven is some Beethoven estate going to come after me?

I didn't follow the trial closely, so I'm not sure if the info is there, but who is in charge of Marvin's estate? Was this a case of an ambulance chasing lawyer, or a greedy relative ala the Hendrix estate?

 

[Thumbpicker]

The backing track was similar... like every 12 bar blues.

 

[psychodave]

I think the burden of proof would be whether or not he intentionally did it or whether it was an unconscious influence. It does sound pretty close in terms of chords and tempo. But at this point in the game of music, it'd be pretty hard not to cross the lines at some point. There's decades of modern music now. How many times have any of us been ripping riffs only to stop for a minute and go "you know, that sounds like_______"

Very early on playing guitar I made up a riff... turns out it was Stranglehold by Nugent. I didn't remember ever hearing the song. It was like 90% the same. This had to be 85/86ish. So it happens...

 

[Findthetone1]

Very early on playing guitar I made up a riff... turns out it was Stranglehold by Nugent. I didn't remember ever hearing the song. It was like 90% the same. This had to be 85/86ish. So it happens...

Absolutely. A band I was in in the 90's did originals and we had a song that the opening riff was mine. Turns out it sounded alot like the opening to 3 Strange Days by School of Fish. Hope I don't get sued

 

[rstites]

I think it's bullshit but that's coming from a person that EVERY thing I ever write sounds like something else. It's why I've written exactly 0 songs in over 45 years of playing. I can always find a link to another song.

And is there a time limit on these things? Nobody is taking money from Marvin Gaye. If I copy Beethoven is some Beethoven estate going to come after me?

To answer the last question: yes there is a time limit. Copyright on creative works usually extent 70 years after the creator's death. (I have no idea if there's additional nuances to this.) Pretty much anything written before the 20th Century is going to be in the public domain and free to use. After that, you have to check to see where it's at in the process.

 

[Devin]

Bullshit lawsuit IMO

 

[Devin]

greedy relative ala the Hendrix estate?

It was the guy who co-wrote the song with Marvin Gaye's niece if I recall correctly

 

[Findthetone1]

It was the guy who co-wrote the song with Marvin Gaye's niece if I recall correctly

Thanks!

 

[Ben Waylin]

If I copy Beethoven is some Beethoven estate going to come after me?

Pretty sure Beethoven is in the public domain.

 

[Strandberg Junkie]

I'm just glad Spirit lost the Stairway lawsuit. That progression is old as dirt.

 

[Greazygeo]

With twelve notes to pick from there are only so many combinations. Liok at modern pop music. Lucky if there is even a chord change to be found.

How many ways can a three chord song be written? Everything is going to sound like something else at some point.

 

[Mr. Willy]

Very early on playing guitar I made up a riff... turns out it was Stranglehold by Nugent. I didn't remember ever hearing the song. It was like 90% the same. This had to be 85/86ish. So it happens...

Last cool riff I came up with turned out to be very close to a Judas Priest riff. I don’t even listen to a lot of JP either. Was listening to Apple Music, and the JP song came on. I was like, dang it! I thought I had a cool, original riff. ?

 

[marvcus]

No. Plus it was like what, two bars?

Now the Satriani/Coldplay one- YES. That was a blatant melody ripoff.

 

[skoora]

I think the burden of proof would be whether or not he intentionally did it or whether it was an unconscious influence. It does sound pretty close in terms of chords and tempo. But at this point in the game of music, it'd be pretty hard not to cross the lines at some point. There's decades of modern music now. How many times have any of us been ripping riffs only to stop for a minute and go "you know, that sounds like_______"

I'm not sure it matters if intentional or not. If it was done and money was made, money is owed.

 

[Findthetone1]

I'm not sure it matters if intentional or not. If it was done and money was made, money is owed.

Not really how our court systems work. The question is: was it done intentionally?

 

[skoora]

Not really how our court systems work. The question is: was it done intentionally?

I just think that because it would be incredibly hard to determine intent in an artistic pursuit, they would just follow the money. I'll have to look more into it.