Copyright Criminals
Copyright Criminals

Movie·2009·1h 5m

Copyright Criminals

This is a Sampling Sport

Country

United States of America

Language

English

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// overview

The Story

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.

Producer

Benjamin Franzen, Kembrew McLeod

Themes

hip-hopcopyright

Production House

Changeing Images

Audience Score

68%

9 votes

Skip10%
Timepass25%
Go for it38%
Perfection27%

Where to watch

Streaming availability not listed for your region yet.

// cast

Cast

Aesop Rock

Self

George Clinton

George Clinton

Self

Chuck D

Chuck D

Self

El-P

El-P

Self

Sage Francis

Self

Pam the Funsktress

Self

Bobbito Garcia

Bobbito Garcia

Self

Miho Hatori

Miho Hatori

Self

Shock G

Shock G

Self

Mix Master Mike

Self

Prefuse 73

Self

DJ Q-Bert

DJ Q-Bert

Self

Pete Rock

Self

Hank Shocklee

Hank Shocklee

Self

DJ Spooky

Self

Clyde Stubblefield

Clyde Stubblefield

Self

Saul Williams

Saul Williams

Self

// crew

Crew

Benjamin Franzen

Director, Producer

Kembrew McLeod

Director, Producer, Executive Producer, Writer

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