| This stuff get's cloudy...
I have heard conflicting ideas about how these suits can go.
Personally, my heart doesn't bleed for Zimmer or Williams. They've made fortunes with this sort of imitation. If they're getting in trouble it is due to a bit of sloppiness - they didn't cover it up well. Face it, that's part of the game. I know of one jinlge producer who actually taught a course on how to imitate without violating the law!
Next, I'm not sure about copyrights on chord progressions. For example could Cole Porter make an issue out of Hot House (same changes as What Is This Thin Called Love)? When I first started researching copyright law for my work, I fond some folks who said "watch it" with regard to use the same changes of an old standard.
I guess the watch word is, "stay alert" when you're writing.
The world needs more lerts.
Nick |