The new Guns N’ Roses album Chinese Democracy has got to be good since it’s already invited two plagiarism lawsuits since it’s release in early October. German electronic artist Ulrich Schnauss claims that Guns N’ Roses has sampled two of his songs without permission. Guns N’ Roses manager Irving Azoff says that the ambient sounds were produced in the studio by a member of the production team and not pinched from Schnauss.
Guns N’ Roses vs. Ulrich Schnauss
There are several unresolved questions that will be answered in court if this goes to trial. (Though I personally predict this will be settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.) First, are there standard sounds used by both GNR and Schnauss that they could have both unwittingly utilized? (Like stock sounds in Garage Band.) Another question: if this is indeed a sample from Schnauss, is the GNR usage more than the legal limit of a few seconds? Only time will tell how these artists decide to resolve their legal issues.
There are several unresolved questions that will be answered in court if this goes to trial. (Though I personally predict this will be settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.) First, are there standard sounds used by both GNR and Schnauss that they could have both unwittingly utilized? (Like stock sounds in Garage Band.) Another question: if this is indeed a sample from Schnauss, is the GNR usage more than the legal limit of a few seconds? Only time will tell how these artists decide to resolve their legal issues.
Listen and compare here.
Michael Jackson and Paul Anka
The new Michael Jackson song, This Is It, gives 50% of the co-writing credit to Paul Anka who says that Jackson stole the tapes from a recording session that they both participated in in 1983. The estate of Michael Jackson gave credit to Mr. Anka as soon as he came out in the press saying he was co-writer. There must have been just a ton of obvious evidence linking Anka to the song, which explains why his concerns were addressed and resolved almost immediately. Good for the estate of Michael Jackson for not dragging this through the court system unnecessarily.
The new Michael Jackson song, This Is It, gives 50% of the co-writing credit to Paul Anka who says that Jackson stole the tapes from a recording session that they both participated in in 1983. The estate of Michael Jackson gave credit to Mr. Anka as soon as he came out in the press saying he was co-writer. There must have been just a ton of obvious evidence linking Anka to the song, which explains why his concerns were addressed and resolved almost immediately. Good for the estate of Michael Jackson for not dragging this through the court system unnecessarily.
Coldplay vs. Satriani
Remember the Joe Satriani vs. Coldplay plagiarism lawsuit that was sparked about a year ago by the very successful Coldplay song Viva La Vida? It seems that Satriani and Coldplay have settled out of court though the details are scarce. Coldplay (or the writers of the song) doesn’t have to admit to any wrong doing and Satriani has agreed to drop his suit. Chances are good there I some money that exchanged hands but no one knows for sure how much and what arrangements have been made to the satisfaction of both parties.
Remember the Joe Satriani vs. Coldplay plagiarism lawsuit that was sparked about a year ago by the very successful Coldplay song Viva La Vida? It seems that Satriani and Coldplay have settled out of court though the details are scarce. Coldplay (or the writers of the song) doesn’t have to admit to any wrong doing and Satriani has agreed to drop his suit. Chances are good there I some money that exchanged hands but no one knows for sure how much and what arrangements have been made to the satisfaction of both parties.
