The Royalty Network has sued Beyonce for copyright infringement. The Royalty Network sued Beyonce because they are in control of ‘Des`ree’s’ music royalties, and they believe that Des`ree’s song “I’m Kissing You” was interpolated to Beyonce’s song, “Still in Love (Kissing You) without permission. To interpolate is to “introduce (something additional or extraneous) between other things or parts; interject; interpose; intercalate.” (www.dictionary.com) So, in the case of this copyright infringement case, the interpolation related to segments of Des`ree’s song being put into Beyonce’s song without been given credit or without attaining permission from the original artist.
The Royalty Network claims that Beyonce’s representatives approached Des`ree’s representatives to ask for permission for the song. When their question was answered, they were unhappy with the restrictions to the dong. For example, Des`ree`s representatives asked that the song title not be altered, which it was. It seems as though because Beyonce’s representatives did not receive the answer they had hoped for they went ahead and used they song anyways, also altering the song title.
A ‘cease-and-desist’ letter was sent by the Royalty Network to Beyonce’s record label on March 27th 2007, yet “Still in Love” was featured on Beyonce’s album ‘B`Day’ w
hich was released in April 2007. The damages filed by the Royalty Network are approximately $150, 000. The company has also requested that as well as the fee, that there is an injunction of the selling of the song “Still in Love”. An injunction is “a judicial process or order requiring the person or persons to whom it is directed to do a particular act or to refrain from doing a particular act.” (www.dictionary.com) So, an injunction of the distribution of a song relating to this case would be the request to have the opposing company cease to distribute the song. Beyonce’s representatives have not yet responded to the claims. I’m sure this case will be big once Beyonce does respond to the claims made by the Royalty Network, but it will take more time for this case to unfold.
Okay so enough with all the legal stuff, I have my own opinion of this case. First you have to listen to the two songs. So first is Beyonce’s “Still in Love (Kissing You)”. Now, I know it’s really hard, but try and listen to the WHOLE thing. Okay so now that “Still in Love” is “still” fresh in your mind, listen to “I’m Kissing You”. So I know what you’re thinking because you’d have to be insane not to agree with me: The songs sound EXACTLY the same. They are equally as painful and boring to listen to except Des`ree sounds a tad more manly in her version. The only thing that is really different about the songs is they have only similar lyrics, but Beyonce fools you by changing the title. It only SEEMS like you’re going to be listening to a different song, but really you get to waste 5 more of your 2 million minutes you have left until you graduate. The melody, tempo, rhythm, and instruments are BEYOND COMPARISON.
I really hope that Beyonce loses this case, and is forced to pay the fee because it is plain to see that she copied a song. In my opinion, it’s almost like she made a cover of “I’m Kissing You”, changed a couple of the lyrics and the title, and made a video of her body all over the place, but didn’t give the original performer any credit for it. If Beyonce gets away with this case, then I don’t believe there is any hope for any of the rightful owners of songs involved in copyright infringement cases anywhere.
The Royalty Network claims that Beyonce’s representatives approached Des`ree’s representatives to ask for permission for the song. When their question was answered, they were unhappy with the restrictions to the dong. For example, Des`ree`s representatives asked that the song title not be altered, which it was. It seems as though because Beyonce’s representatives did not receive the answer they had hoped for they went ahead and used they song anyways, also altering the song title.
A ‘cease-and-desist’ letter was sent by the Royalty Network to Beyonce’s record label on March 27th 2007, yet “Still in Love” was featured on Beyonce’s album ‘B`Day’ w
hich was released in April 2007. The damages filed by the Royalty Network are approximately $150, 000. The company has also requested that as well as the fee, that there is an injunction of the selling of the song “Still in Love”. An injunction is “a judicial process or order requiring the person or persons to whom it is directed to do a particular act or to refrain from doing a particular act.” (www.dictionary.com) So, an injunction of the distribution of a song relating to this case would be the request to have the opposing company cease to distribute the song. Beyonce’s representatives have not yet responded to the claims. I’m sure this case will be big once Beyonce does respond to the claims made by the Royalty Network, but it will take more time for this case to unfold.Okay so enough with all the legal stuff, I have my own opinion of this case. First you have to listen to the two songs. So first is Beyonce’s “Still in Love (Kissing You)”. Now, I know it’s really hard, but try and listen to the WHOLE thing. Okay so now that “Still in Love” is “still” fresh in your mind, listen to “I’m Kissing You”. So I know what you’re thinking because you’d have to be insane not to agree with me: The songs sound EXACTLY the same. They are equally as painful and boring to listen to except Des`ree sounds a tad more manly in her version. The only thing that is really different about the songs is they have only similar lyrics, but Beyonce fools you by changing the title. It only SEEMS like you’re going to be listening to a different song, but really you get to waste 5 more of your 2 million minutes you have left until you graduate. The melody, tempo, rhythm, and instruments are BEYOND COMPARISON.
I really hope that Beyonce loses this case, and is forced to pay the fee because it is plain to see that she copied a song. In my opinion, it’s almost like she made a cover of “I’m Kissing You”, changed a couple of the lyrics and the title, and made a video of her body all over the place, but didn’t give the original performer any credit for it. If Beyonce gets away with this case, then I don’t believe there is any hope for any of the rightful owners of songs involved in copyright infringement cases anywhere.
No comments:
Post a Comment