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

Title
What Taylor Swift can teach us about copyright, contracts and moral rights: The story of ‘Taylor’s Version’ from an intellectual property perspective
Publication Date
2024-12-17
Author(s)
Potter, Wellett
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3534-4017
Email: wpotter2@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:wpotter2
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
LexisNexis Butterworths
Place of publication
Australia
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/64196
Abstract

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.

Link
Citation
Media and Arts Law Review, v.26, p. 3-32
ISSN
1325-1570
Start page
3
End page
32

Files:

NameSizeformatDescriptionLink