Copyright infringement is one of the most common cases of lawsuits in the music industry. It’s possible to get away with using a few notes or quoting a brief phrase from an existing composition, however, copyright laws have become stricter and artists are accused of stealing parts of songs and to use them as their own.
This creates constraints on creativity and has consequences for creators that would not be present if copyright laws did not exist. Pop music, for example, has signature elements that mark its genre, so creating music that doesn’t sound like another pop song is extremely difficult.
With copyright laws tightening over the years, artists have less opportunity to be creative and borrow elements from older songs that could foster innovation and elevate their music. It’s hard to create content that hasn’t been used in some way in the past, because musical passages tend to evolve and modernize rather than disappear.
In recent years, pop has had a love affair with disco, bringing 80s grooves to life from a different angle. Disco revivalism was sustained in electronic music, pop and even indie in some cases, ushering in a modern revival. This example clearly shows evolution and collaboration in music without fear of being criticized for producing something that already exists.
Making music is a form of expression, so no artist should be forced to overthink what they produce, setting limits on their creativity. Yes, uniqueness is key, however, there should be room for the music that has inspired mankind throughout the centuries.
If it wasn’t driven by previous generations, today’s music wouldn’t sound the same. If artists don’t have the freedom to take content and create their own versions of existing material, then a lot of the innovation will automatically be removed.
Making original music without regard to previous influences is a very difficult task to accomplish, and copyright laws have made it extremely difficult for artists to create freely, without the stress of being “called”. This may influence the music industry in the long run, as the focus and effort will be on creating music that is unlike anything else, rather than creating something that truly expresses the soul. ‘artist.
