Music Sampling Grand Upright Music v. Warner Brothers Music (1991)

For decades musicians have been ‘borrowing’ the work of other artists. Dating back to early reggae, artists have been cutting tracks on turntables to include portions of someone else’s work. Often, there is no issue with this practice, either because the original artists do not mind, or because the portion borrowed from another source is too small for anyone to notice. But, as we enter an era in which information can be sent across the internet in a matter of seconds, grey areas are forming and becoming highlighted. With this project, we will explore those legal grey areas and how they have changed over time, and as the tools of the trade have evolved.On this page and subsequent subpages, you'll find case law, summaries and videos to better explain what sampling is, when it is legal, and when it is not. More on the caseIn 1991 Gilbert O'Sullivan sued the rap artist Biz Markie for intellecual property theft over the rapper's use of his song "Alone Again (Naturally)". Biz Markie and his producers ripped the piano audio from O'Sullivan's track and rapped over it. Listen to Biz Markie's Song "Alone Again" and a live version of O'Sullivan's song below by clicking play on the videos.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKB6MnTaNJchttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OebqNsNRBtU