How Copyright Works: What to Expect in Court with a Copyright Lawsuit | Songwriting | Berklee

In this video, Berklee Online instructor Dr. E. Michael Harrington discusses the ins and outs of what a copyright lawsuit means for a musician. What should you do if you think your song has been copied? First of all, copyright issues are a federal matter. Discovery of all of the facts at the start of the process is the key to a successful outcome of a lawsuit! Oftentimes, cases simply settle rather than complete the process from beginning to end. Trials involve many aspects: discovery, depositions, cross-examination, and evidence. Awards can range from $750 to $150,000 per instances of copyright infringement. Even though going through the process of trials for copyright infringement can be tricky, it is worse to let someone get away with stealing your song!

About E. Michael Harrington:
Dr. E. Michael Harrington is a professor in music copyright and intellectual property matters. He has lectured at many law schools, organizations, and music conferences throughout North America, including Harvard Law, George Washington University Law, Hollywood Bar Association, Texas Bar, Minnesota Bar, Houston Law Center, Brooklyn Law, BC Law, Loyola Law, NYU, McGill, Eastman, Emory, the Experience Music Project, Future of Music Coalition, Pop Montreal, and others. He has worked as a consultant and expert witness in hundreds of music copyright matters including efforts to return "We Shall Overcome" and "This Land Is Your Land" to the public domain, and has worked with director Steven Spielberg, producer Mark Burnett, the Dixie Chicks, Steve Perry, Busta Rhymes, Samsung, Keith Urban, HBO, T-Pain, T. I., Snoop Dogg, Collin Raye, Tupac Shakur, Lady Gaga, George Clinton, Mariah Carey, and others. He sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Popular Culture, advisory board of the Future of Music Coalition and the Creators Freedom Project, and is a member of Leadership Music. Michael has been interviewed by the New York Times, CNN, Bloomberg Law, Wall Street Journal, Time, Huffington Post, Billboard, USA Today, Rolling Stone, Money Magazine, Investor's Business Daily, People Magazine, Life Magazine, and Washington Post, in addition to BRAVO, PBS, ABC News, NBC's "Today Show," the Biography Channel, NPR, CBC and others. He teaches Music Business Capstone and Music Licensing courses at Berklee Online, and is the course author and instructor for Music Business Law, part of the curriculum for Berklee Online’s Master of Art in Music Business degree.

About Berklee Online:
Berklee Online is the continuing education division of Berklee College of Music, delivering online access to Berklee's acclaimed curriculum from anywhere in the world, offering online courses, certificate programs, and degree programs. Contact an Academic Advisor today:
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Copyright Law | E. Michael Harrington | Copyright Infringement | Lawyers | Judges | Sound | Composition | Songwriter | Songwriting | Technique | Sound Recording | Songwriters | Berklee Online | Berklee College of Music

[TreyVittetoeMusic]

Great topic and explanation, thank you! Grateful to find this topic being covered by an expert.

[thaopthach]

Can you do a video on Black Pink’s new song (pink venom) Rihanna’s song (pond de replay). People are arguing that they only paying homage while some are saying it’s infringing since no credits were given.

[kierenmoore]

I wonder if Robert and Jimmy are watching this series ... ? HI GUYS !!!! 👋🏼

[wwewwf]

Udemy banned my course because of copyright infringement.What actions Udemy can take if someone files a lawsuit and get a court order within 10 days.

[paulgibby]

So (take-aways): keep the same story, go after their expert witnesses, and hire an attorney who talks like Rudy Giuliani