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The Samplist & Turntablist Copyright FAQ :
For those of you who want to know what laws you're breaking or how to safeguard your work, this FAQ should hopefully answer a lot of your questions.

Cases & References For Lawyers & Other Geeks :
Read and enjoy legal decisions from the notable sampling cases and law review articles without having to do all the research. You're welcome. [Cites and Articles]

History of Sampling :
Man has been "using" and "borrowing" culture since first struck with creative inspiration. From baroque classical composers' variations on themes to The Beatles' Revolution Number 9, from Andy Warhol to William Burroughs, from the Cubists and Dadaists to 2 Live Crew, artists have incorporated pieces of their environment into the art inspired therefrom. Whether it takes the form of criticism, commentary, parody, or merely transforms the original into something completely new, recycling culture is crucial to the artistic ecosystem. Read : The History of Sampling.

The Philospophies of Appropriation :
A starving man steals a loaf of bread. A collagist cuts an image from a magazine. A samplist pinches a snare. The truth is, artistic appropriation is fundamental to the task of creation. Man has been "using" and "borrowing" culture since first struck with creative inspiration. From baroque classical composers' variations on themes to The Beatles' Revolution Number 9, from Andy Warhol to William Burroughs, from the Cubists and Dadaists to 2 Live Crew, artists have incorporated pieces of their environment into the art inspired therefrom. Whether it takes the form of criticism, commentary, parody, or merely transforms the original into something completely new, recycling culture is crucial to the artistic ecosystem. Read : Artistic Appropriation is Fundamental to the Task of Creation and Media - The New "Natural" Environment.

Fair Use :
There is one rogue exception to the daunting U.S. Copyright Law: Fair Use. What exactly is Fair Use? Well, Fair Use is what allows Saturday Night Live to use copyrightable elements in their sketches. Fair Use is what allowed 2 Live Crew to sample Roy Orbison and get away with it. If there is any hope for us samplists, it is in the Fair Use defense.

Licensing :
Stressed out that you might get sued? Don't want to or can't claim Fair Use? Your rich Uncle just died? Try licensing that sample. Or read horror stories about sample licensing endured by those who played by the rules.

"Quotes" :
Ideas, criticisms, and philosophies from DJ Shadow, The Avalanches, Amon Tobin, and more. Quotes.

Links :
Related sites