Many Miami residents enjoy the upbeat songs that are released during the warm months of the year. With musicians battling for their tunes to be the songs of the summer, the influx of music heard in clubs and on the radio can cause some people to compare tracks that share particular beats and themes.
MTV VJ Dave Holmes recently noted the similarities that he perceived between Katy Perry’s new song, “Roar,” and Sara Bareilles’ tune, “Brave,” which was released in April. Implying that Perry’s song may have taken some liberties with Bareilles’ earlier track, fans of both artists have spoken out in droves about the matter.
For her part, Bareilles has benefited from the controversy and has seen her song climb the charts amidst the discussions. Perry’s representatives allege that “Roar” was written well before “Brave” came out and that no misdeeds are afoot.
While the musicians and fans sort out their perspectives on the matter, the issue does raise some interesting questions regarding entertainment law and an artist’s ability to retain copyrights on their music. Many artists sample each other’s music, but sampling requires that the musician seeking to use another artist’s sounds gain permission from a variety of other parties that can include the other artist, publisher and holder of the original recording before using parts of a track. When artists fail to gain such permissions, they can face copyright infringement charges and other serious legal problems.
Though no legal accusations have been made at this time, the Perry-Bareilles debate may rage on between fans on the internet for some time. For artists who are interested in producing music similar to others, important legal considerations should be made before parts of previously published songs are incorporated into new tunes.
Source: New York Post, “Katy Perry accused of being a copy cat with new ‘Roar’ single,” Aug. 23, 2013
The entertainment industry can be a complicated field to navigate. As a trusted leader in Miami entertainment law, ChaseLawyers can help. With over 40 years of experience, Our Miami based lawyers have helped individuals in nearly every area of entertainment law in Miami, including sports, music, film, television, modeling, literature, and more. We understand the unique challenges you face as a creative, and we’re prepared to protect your interests.
As an artist in Miami, you must navigate the intricacies of copyright law, trademarks, contractual agreements, and much more. It is critical you choose a qualified Miami entertainment lawyer with expertise in the nuances of the entertainment world. ChaseLawyers has built a stellar reputation among our clientele for honest, professional representation that produces effective results. We have extensive experience in the unique legal elements you must navigate as an artist, and our attorneys can provide you with indispensable career advice and expertise over the course of your entertainment career.
When you work with ChaseLawyers, you are more than just a client. We care about your well-being and can provide essential advice on the issues you face in the Miami market, such as intellectual property issues, negotiating service agreements, publicity rights, and much more. We also have an extensive network of resources available for our clients to connect with, and those connections can enrich your career in countless ways. Our team understands the complex world of entertainment law and will take care of your legal needs so you can focus on doing what you do best—sharing your talent with the world!
When you’re ready to take the next step in your career, our Miami entertainment lawyers are ready to help you. We are passionate about helping creatives with all of their legal needs, and you won’t find a team more dedicated to your success in all of Miami. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation!