What Taylor Swift can teach us about copyright, contracts and moral rights: The story of ‘Taylor’s Version’ from an intellectual property perspective

Abstract

<p>This article examines the relationship between copyright law, contractual rights and artists' experiences in the music industry through the lens of Taylor Swift. It analyses Swift's highly publicised legal dispute with her former label which led to her re-recording her initial six albums, creating what is known as 'Taylor's Version'. It argues that Swift's re-recording strategy pointed the way towards fairer artists' rights by drawing attention to the implications of copyright ownership and contracts in the music industry. Via examination of US and Australian copyright, contract law and moral rights, the article suggests that Swift's re-recording strategy and public advocacy have challenged industry norms and influenced conversations about artists' rights.</p>