Whose Song Is It Anyway?

Dennis Collopy has been in the music industry for 45 years, from his first contract with David Bowie to being an academic now at the University of Hertfordshire. Dennis talks about his research into illegal stream ripping, the data issues in the music industry, tells us the types of problems that artists and performers have with the admin that allows royalties payments. We then discuss artificial intelligence and some of the key issues for copyright and music, including authorship and infringement.

Imogen Heap is a singer-songwriter and we can certainly also describe her as an entrepreneur and pioneer! In this episode Imogen talks about what drives her in creativity and innovation, and shares with us her latest endevours with blockchain, artificial intelligence, mycelia and The Creative Passport (www.creativepassport.net). 

Munya Chanetsa, A&R Manager for Africa at Sony Music Publishing, chats about the music inudstry in the continent of Africa, the importance for artists and performers to understand their rights, and how COVID has provided time for reflection and engagement with rights. Munya also shares how the injustice of Solomon Linda and his song, Mbube, which transformed into the Lion Sleeps Tonight (best known for featuring Disney's The Lion King) motivated him on his mission to educate the music industry and the creation of Mbube2020.

David Martin, CEO of the Featured Artist Coalition (FAC), talks about the impact of COVID-19 on artists and the music industry, the difference between licensing or assigning your rights e.g. demonstrated by Bob Dylan who recently sold his catalogue, but then the share of that sale being determined by the wording of the contract with his co-author. Of course, we cover the streaming inquiry, and generally the need for artists to be more informed and entrepreneurial for a successful career. David also tells us his three wishes for the music industry for 2021...

Bill gives a heartfelt account of his career from private practice, law making, professor, to Senior Copyright Counsel at Google, and what most people might not know is that Bill is also a life long musician. He gives us insights into the challanges of law making, we talk about the US test for copyright infringement particularly in the cases of Blurred Lines, Stairway To Heaven. Bill explains why he would do away with expert witnesses in copyright infringement cases and shares the one thing he thinks needs changing in US copyright law…

Annabella Coldrick, CEO of the Music Managers Forum (MMF) talks about the changing artist manager dynamic, then we hear Annabella’s views on the UK music streaming inquiry, we consider where the line is between radio and streaming, and should we decide it from a technical or experiential perspective? Plus, Annabella talks about the need for better transparency and partnership within the music industry, for example in relation to licensing deals with TikTok and Facebook.

Tom Gray talks about creativity and originality in song creation, as well as the #BrokenRecord campaign, the current UK streaming inquiry, equitable remuneration, plus why and how musicians and artists can engage in copyright policy.

Ali Condon, from PRS for Music, explains why copyright is so important for creators, such as songwriters, composers and artists. We talk about originality in music creation, what copyright infringement is and how musicology plays a role in deciding if two songs are substantially similar. Ali shares her experience working with PRS members and engaging in copyright policy, such as the with the EU Copyright Directive. 

Crispin Hunt shares his songwriting stories from Longpigs to “Army of Lovers,” and more recently working with artists including Ellie Goulding, Florence and the Machine, Jake Bugg and Lana Del Ray. We talk about that fine line between taking inspiration and copyright infringement, as well as Crispin's work at the Ivor’s Academy and how he thinks copyright needs to change to benefit creators.