Thursday, November 5, 2015
Blog Assignment 4
The case of Girl Talk is very complicated and I can see both sides of the argument. Personally, I believe that he is using the music under fair use and it could be considered transformative. Since he isn't actually using a song in its entirety and mixing different ones together I don't see a problem with it. Girl Talk also gives recognition to the original song and artist in his work. So, by him just using parts of other people's songs it isn't taking anything away from the original artist. If someone likes one of the songs that make up his music then they will most likely go out and buy the original song, which might actually benefit the original artist. Limiting his use of other people's music would just hinder his own personal creativity. I think it's important for people like Girl Talk to push the boundaries of fair use and help others be able to express their creativity under fair use. I see no problem with him playing the songs he creates at shows so that people can enjoy them live, because its still not taking anything away from the original artist. However, I'm not sure if I agree with him selling CD's of his music. If he wants to give away the music he creates for free and allow people to donate whatever amount they want then that would be more reasonable. Even still, when he sells a CD of his music he isn't taking away any monetary value from the original artist, so it might still be considered fair use. I can see why some people might be upset about him using their music, but I think as long as he isn't claiming to be the original artist and isn't taking away any sells from the original artist then there is no reason for him not to create the music he enjoys.
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I agree that his use of the music isn't hindering the original artists' sales, and his compositions could probably be considered acceptable under the fair use section, but I think the question is more about whether he acknowledges the original compositions in his work. Paying royalties is one thing, and very expensive, but giving credit to the original artists would probably not be too much in his case.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more when you mentioned how people like Girl Talk should be able to push the boundaries of fair use and help others be able to express their creativity in the face of restrictive fair use laws. It's hard to pinpoint a piece of creative work that is 100% original and free of any outside influence or inspiration since almost everything stems from previous works of art. I think the only reason cases like Girl Talk receive so much attention is because financial issues are involved.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the issue is more about financials than creativity. I don't think that he is taking any value from the original artists. Those who are listening to his music gain a very different experience than going to a Rolling Stones concert. Also I believe that the timeline on these laws affects the music. Girl Talk uses a lot of music from well known artists. I doubt that his music affects the sales of their music.
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