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Jarqui

(10,123 posts)
8. Two songs may well blend seamlessly if they use the sane chord progression
Thu Jan 3, 2019, 10:34 PM
Jan 2019

The melodies distinguish the various songs.
You could potentially combine any or all of those songs seamlessly.
They get closer still if the same beat and instrument arrangement is used.

This helped clarify what might be at issue in my head:
https://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/melodies-copyrighted-7524.html
Compositions
The U.S. Copyright Office recognizes two types of copyright claims for melodies. The first is the copyright of a musical composition, which recognizes the songwriter for creating the song. Melodies may be copyrighted as compositions if they’re fixed as sheet music or a recording. Sound recordings are sounds made at the actual recording sessions when a musician records a song. While a songwriter who writes and records a melody -- such as a performing musician recording an album -- can claim copyright on the composition and recording at the same time, a musician who records a song that another person wrote may only register the copyright on her sound recording.


I think the melodies are different enough that the copyright on the musical composition is probably safe (I haven't checked note by note - just a rough feel). I'm guessing they're accusing some infringement on the sound copyright - but to me, even there, it seems like a stretch.

Having said that, I haven't read the complaint so I cannot pass final judgment until I see more details. For the judge to allow it to proceed, they must think there is some potential merit to the claim.
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