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Hypothetical Facts: Tectonic Drift Questions Posed Brief Legal Analysis 1. Fair Use vs. Derivative Work Answer: Likely a derivative work, not fair use. While MIDI conversion adds a layer of abstraction, the beatmaker is still using the fundamental musical elements (rhythm, structure, harmonic progression) from the original. The transformation is primarily technical rather than creative or commentary-based. Courts typically require more substantial creative transformation for fair use protection. 2. Sound Recording Infringement (§114) Answer: Probably avoids SR infringement. Continue reading Tectonic Drift Beat Maker Infringement?→

Major Copyright Cases and Their Current Status New York Times v. Microsoft/OpenAI The New York Times filed a lawsuit against Microsoft and OpenAI for copyright infringement, claiming unauthorized scanning and indexing of their paywalled articles [7]. As of early 2025, a federal judge has allowed the case to proceed [6]. Reuters reports that “All of our copyright claims will continue against Microsoft and OpenAI for their widespread theft of millions of The Times’s works” [3]. Continue reading Copyright and AI: Legal Battles Shaping the Future→

Northern Soul 2024, released in April 2024, featuring Elliot Zimmerman on Track 3, Stormy Weather, and Track 17, Heading Up North.

Suit was filed on December 27, 2023, by THE NEW YORK TIMES CORPORATION v. MICROSOFT CORPORATION, OPENAI, INC., et al. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Case 1:23-cv-11195. Plaintiff alleges in paragraph 2 of the Complaint: “Defendants’ unlawful use of The Times’s work to create artificial intelligence products that compete with it threatens The Times’s ability to provide that service. Defendants’ generative artificial intelligence (“GenAI”) tools rely on Continue reading The New York Times v. Microsoft Corp. and OPENAI, Inc. et al.→

Harvey Mason, Grammy’s Chief, makes clear that ‘We’re Not Giving an Award to a Computer’ and new rules have been enacted to be eligible for an award! The full wording of the ruling follows: “The GRAMMY Award recognizes creative excellence. Only human creators are eligible to be submitted for consideration for, nominated for, or win a GRAMMY Award. A work that contains no human authorship is not eligible in any Categories. A work that features Continue reading Grammy’s New AI Rule Clarifies Computers Are Not Eligible for Awards→