Copyright Criminals
This is a Sampling Sport
2009 | 65m | English
Popularity: 0.1 (history)
| Director: | Benjamin Franzen, Kembrew McLeod |
|---|---|
| Writer: | Kembrew McLeod |
| Staring: |
| Copyright Criminals examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, including the related debates over artistic expression, copyright law, and (of course) money. This documentary traces the rise of hip-hop from the urban streets of New York to its current status as a multibillion-dollar industry. For more than thirty years, innovative hip-hop performers and producers have been re-using portions of previously recorded music in new, otherwise original compositions. When lawyers and record companies got involved, what was once referred to as a “borrowed melody” became a “copyright infringement.” The film showcases many of hip-hop music’s founding figures like Public Enemy, De La Soul, and Digital Underground—while also featuring emerging hip-hop artists from record labels Definitive Jux, Rhymesayers, Ninja Tune, and more. | |
| Release Date: | May 21, 2009 |
|---|---|
| Director: | Benjamin Franzen, Kembrew McLeod |
| Writer: | Kembrew McLeod |
| Genres: | Music, Documentary |
| Keywords | hip-hop, copyright |
| Production Companies | Changeing Images |
| Box Office |
Revenue: $0
Budget: $0 |
| Updates |
Updated: Feb 03, 2025 Entered: May 01, 2024 |
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Aesop Rock | Himself |
| George Clinton | Himself |
| Chuck D | Himself |
| El-P | Himself |
| Sage Francis | Himself |
| Pam the Funsktress | Herself |
| Bobbito Garcia | Himself |
| Miho Hatori | Herself |
| Shock G | Himself |
| Mix Master Mike | Himself |
| Prefuse 73 | Himself |
| DJ Q-Bert | Himself |
| Pete Rock | Himself |
| Hank Shocklee | Himself |
| DJ Spooky | Himself |
| Clyde Stubblefield | Himself |
| Saul Williams | Himself |
| Name | Job |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Franzen | Cinematography, Director |
| Kembrew McLeod | Director, Writer |
| Ross Sebek | Cinematography |
| Sarah Franzen | Editorial Production Assistant |
| Dave Willadsen | Visual Effects Editor |
| Annie Lin | Music |
| Brooke Wentz | Music |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Benjamin Franzen | Producer |
| Kembrew McLeod | Producer |
| Organization | Category | Person |
|---|
Popularity History
| Year | Month | Avg | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 | 4 | 25 | 1 |
| 2024 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| 2024 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| 2024 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| 2024 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 1 |
| 2024 | 11 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 2024 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 2025 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Trending Position