Copyright Criminals, a documentary on sampling and copyright law, airs January 19 at 10:00 p.m. on WOSU, the PBS station in Columbus.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHw8w6il_FQ[/youtube]
Interesting quotes from the trailer:

  • “I’ve sued and been sued.  That’s the nature of the business.”
  • “If you sample one note of a sound recording, it’s copyright infringement.”
  • “We felt that you couldn’t copyright a sound.”
  • “You’re either rich enough to afford the law, or you’re a complete outlaw. “

The intention of the film is to look at both sides of these complex issues.  Background information is available here.