Category Archives: Intellectual Property

Protecting Musicians From Artificial Intelligence Misuse

By Rachel Stilwell, Esq. December 18, 2023

Tools For Protecting Artists From Unauthorized Use of Artificial Intelligence in Music.

Artificial Intelligence has been a hot-button topic within the entertainment industry for well over a year.  This article proposes methods to empower creative professionals to protect their intellectual property in the present and future, including novel approaches not included in current legislative efforts. 

COPYRIGHT LAW

Artificial Intelligence jolted the music industry in 2023 upon the release of sound recordings created by scraping vocals of artists like Drake, the Weeknd and Bad Bunny, without their consent. Such...

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Billboard: “Phone Recordings of Concerts Are More Than Just Annoying, They’re Potentially Illegal.” Rachel Stilwell & Makenna Cox

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In the year preceding his untimely death, Prince forbade audience members from videotaping his live performances. Since then, artists such as Childish GambinoGuns 'N RosesAlicia Keys and The Lumineers each have required audience members to temporarily forfeit use of their mobile devices by placing them in locked pouches during their concerts. Fans may have mixed reactions to an artist banning video camera use during concerts, but most concert goers don’t realize that recording a live musical performance without the consent of the artist is illegal. Although artists usually have no interest in suing their fans, musicians actually have a legal right to expressly forbid audiences from recording their live performances. Musicians and fans have generally been unaware of such laws because...
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Rachel Joins Fellow Panelists at L.A. Intellectual Property Law Association’s “Techtainment 3.0” Conference

Rachel joined fellow panelists at the L.A. Intellectual Property Law Association's TECHTAINMENT 3.0 Conference on the cutting edge panel, "Emerging Music Issues in the Digital Ecosystem," which dissects the evolution of music-rights deals to confront digital and other channels. Panelists included Bill Colitre, Music Reports; Paul Friedman, Sony; Rachel Stilwell, the Law Offices of Rachel Stilwell; and moderator Professor Dougherty. Topics included: "Effects of Emerging Technology and Law on Live Musical Performances."     [embed]https://youtu.be/is9CGCNIx5s[/embed]...
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Rachel’s Comment to the United States Copyright Office: How to Fix the DMCA Takedown “Whack-a-Mole” Scheme

I am an attorney who represents recording artists, songwriters, and producers of both film and music. One of my clients has won nine GRAMMY Awards and released over twenty-five albums over more than forty years. Another client is a musician who released several independently distributed albums; she is about to sign her first contract with a major record company. Other clients include a non-famous songwriter whose livelihood depends entirely on her ability to license the music that she writes. I also represent an independent filmmaker who spends his own money to create documentary films that tell compelling stories related to social injustice and race.  One thing that these creators have in common is that their livelihoods have been severely diminished by the impacts of online copyright infringement.... Read more here....
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