Un-Blurring Substantial Similarity: Aesthetic Judgments and Romantic Authorship in Music Copyright Law Download a PDF version of this article here. By Nicole Lieberman* Introduction I. Historical Background of Music in Copyright Infringement Law A. Music’s Initial Encounters in Early Legislation and Case Law B. The Idea-Expression Distinction C. Evolution of the Copyright Infringement Tests 1. Second Circuit Copying/Unlawful Appropriation Test i. Copying-in-Fact ii. Unlawful Appropriation iii. Further Developments and Confusions of the Arnstein Test 2. Ninth Circuit: “Total Concept and Feel” i. Extrinsic Test ii. Intrinsic Test iii. Further Developments and Confusions of the Krofft Test II. The Roots, Flaws, and Legacy of Arnstein A. Problems with Arnstein and the Ordinary Observer B. Krofft: Reconciling Arnstein and the Idea-Expression Dichotomy? C. The Modern Music Dilemma 1. Scènes a Faire in Music: “Blurred Lines” as a Case in Point III. Considering Dissection and Reversed Questions of Law and Fact Conclusion Continue reading →
