Opinion ID: 789607
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Digital Sampling of Copyrighted Sound Recordings

Text: 27 At the outset it is important to make clear the precise nature of our decision. Our conclusions are as follows: 1. The analysis that is appropriate for determining infringement of a musical composition copyright, is not the analysis that is to be applied to determine infringement of a sound recording. We address this issue only as it pertains to sound recording copyrights. 5 28 2. Since the district court decision essentially tracked the analysis that is made if a musical composition copyright were at issue, we depart from that analysis. 6 29 3. We agree with the district court's analysis on the question of originality. On remand, we assume that Westbound will be able to establish it has a copyright in the sound recording and that a digital sample from the copyrighted sound recording was used in this case. 30 4. This case involves digital sampling which is a term of art well understood by the parties to this litigation and the music industry in general. Accordingly, we adopt the definition commonly accepted within the industry. 31 5. Because of the court's limited technological knowledge in this specialized field, our opinion is limited to an instance of digital sampling of a sound recording protected by a valid copyright. If by analogy it is possible to extend our analysis to other forms of sampling, we leave it to others to do so. 32 6. Advances in technology 7 coupled with the advent of the popularity of hip hop or rap music have made instances of digital sampling extremely common and have spawned a plethora of copyright disputes and litigation. 33 7. The music industry, as well as the courts, are best served if something approximating a bright-line test can be established. Not necessarily a one size fits all test, but one that, at least, adds clarity to what constitutes actionable infringement with regard to the digital sampling of copyrighted sound recordings.