Copyright Criminals poster

Copyright Criminals( 2009)

TV-MAMusicDocumentary
68%
User
Score

This is a Sampling Sport

Overview

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.

    Top Billed Cast

    1. cast image

      Aesop Rock

      Himself

    2. cast image

      George Clinton

      Himself

    3. cast image

      Chuck D

      Himself

    4. cast image

      El-P

      Himself

    5. cast image

      Sage Francis

      Himself

    6. cast image

      Pam the Funsktress

      Herself

    7. cast image

      Bobbito Garcia

      Himself

    8. cast image

      Miho Hatori

      Herself

    9. cast image

      Shock G

      Himself

    10. cast image

      Mix Master Mike

      Himself

    11. cast image

      Prefuse 73

      Himself

    12. cast image

      DJ Q-Bert

      Himself

    13. cast image

      Pete Rock

      Himself

    14. cast image

      Hank Shocklee

      Himself

    15. cast image

      DJ Spooky

      Himself

    16. cast image

      Clyde Stubblefield

      Himself

    17. cast image

      Saul Williams

      Himself

    Social

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    Media

    Videos 1Backdrops 1Posters 2

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    Facts

    Status

    Released

    Original Language

    English

    Budget

    -

    Revenue

    -

    Keywords

    • hip-hop
    • copyright