Conference Presentation: You Hear My Stolen Lullabies: What Taylor Swift Can Teach Us About the Music Industry, Contracts, Intellectual Property, Song Ownership and the Struggle for Artistic Control

Description

In recent years, the music industry has witnessed profound transformation, largely due to the digital revolution and streaming platforms. Amidst this shift, Taylor Swift, an iconic artist and songwriter, has emerged as a prominent figure in the complex landscape of intellectual property (‘IP’) and copyright law. This presentation aims to delve into Swift's remarkable journey through the lens of IP, shedding light on her artistic evolution and the influence of the law on her career. Swift's career is a testament to the power of songwriting and the challenges faced by artists in the digital age. As one of the most successful and prolific songwriters of her generation, she has not only captured the hearts of millions with her music but has also navigated the often-turbulent waters of the music industry, particularly in terms of ownership and control over her creative output. The presentation will explore several critical issues, including Swift's experiences with record label contracts, her highly publicised battle with Scooter Braun over song rights and master recordings, and her decision to re-record her early albums (known as Taylor’s Version). These experiences underscore the broader dilemmas faced by artists and songwriters concerning the rights to their own work in an industry where IP has become increasingly valuable. Swift's journey provides a case study for understanding the complex interplay between freedom of creative expression, the struggle for artistic control, contractual agreements, and IP. By examining Swift’s experiences and decisions, valuable insight can be gained into the challenges that modern artists face in an evolving digital music industry, and the broader implications for IP and copyright law.

Period	13 Feb 2024
Event title	Swiftposium: The world’s first academic conference about Taylor Swift
Event type	Conference
Location	Melbourne, Australia, VictoriaShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International