The Life of a Copyright
On August 23rd, 2021, stand-up comedian Caroline Timoney posted a TikTok video where she stated, “I fear I may have girl bossed a little too close to the sun.”[1] The video went viral and, to this day, it is her…
The Resurgence of the RAP Act: Why Industry Professionals Enthusiastically Support This Bill
Photo by Jordy on Pixabay Artists release music and write songs to create art, not to offer any sort of criminal confession.[1] Yet, dating back to a 1996 criminal trial involving Snoop Dogg,[2] artists’ lyrics have been admissible as evidence…
SoundExchange v. Sirius XM: A Battle on Two Fronts
Created by Cat Stagliano on Canva In the United States, when an artist’s sound recording or track is played by a servicer like Pandora or satellite radio,[1] a digital public performance royalty for the sound recording is collected by…
Music Executives from Universal Music Group Speak to Cardozo’s Entertainment Law Society
On Thursday, August 21, 2025, Cardozo’s Entertainment Law Society hosted a panel discussion with Jermaine “Maine” Maxwell (A&R at Def Jam, Universal Music Group), Shaniqua “Haarlem” Branch (VP of A&R at Republic Records, Universal Music Group), Trevor Casson (Senior Director…
Diss Tracks and Defamation: Should the Law Keep Up with Rap Beefs?
The legal battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar over Not Like Us has escalated beyond a simple rap feud, igniting broader discussions about the boundaries of artistic expression, defamation, and corporate responsibility.[1] Drake has already sued Universal Music Group (UMG) over the song, claiming it contains false…
Judge Presses Pause on Trump’s Campaign Playlist
In August, Isaac Hayes Enterprises LLC, joined the steady stream of musicians suing Donald Trump for unauthorized use of their music, and filed suit against Trump for copyright infringement related to his use of the song “Hold On (I’m…
The Rise of AI in Music: Legal Challenges and Copyright Concerns
In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized various sectors, including the music industry. Companies like Suno and Udio, prominent players in the AI music generation market, have introduced innovative tools that allow users to create music from simple text…
Study, Chill, Stream Lofi, and Repeat: From a Passion Project to a Recent Target of Large Corporate Music Publishers
Ask yourself: what does the perfect workspace look and feel like? The answer varies from person to person. Some people prefer to work in crowded cafes, while others need complete silence. The concern became even more relevant during the height…
Tik Tok and Universal Music Group’s Licensing Battle
A month-long standoff between Universal Music Group (“UMG”) and TikTok persists after combative licensing negotiations have continuously failed. This stalemate led to the removal of UMG’s music from the platform on February 1, 2024, silencing thousands of videos featuring…
DJs, IP, and NFTs, Oh My!: A Closer Look at the Changing Music Industry Landscape of Today
In generating over eleven million dollars and a lawsuit, the legal implications of American DJ, 3LAU’s, record-setting Non-Fungible Token (NFT) auction in 2021 have yet to be fully understood by the music industry. DJ 3LAU, or Justin Blau, is…
Cardozo AELJ Author Interview Series: Matthew Goldman, Class of 2022
The Cardozo AELJ Author Interview Series seeks to give our readers further insight into the Articles and Notes published in the Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal. In this interview, Matthew Goldman discusses his Note, Fragmented Music Copyright Protection: A…
Oh Hot Damn, This is How Flo Rida May Change Copyright Damages
In the Spring of 2008, Tramar Lacel Dillard and William James Adams Jr. were exceptionally confident in the success of their latest musical venture. Atop the single “In the Ayer,” they proclaimed, “Oh hot damn, this is my jam.…