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Home > IPLJ > Vol. XXXIV > No. 3 (2024)

 

Fordham IPLJ

Abstract

Marilyn Mosby, Founder and Managing Partner of Mahogany Elite Consulting, opened the IPLJ Symposium with her Keynote Address which focused on the cultural, political, and social context surrounding the use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal prosecutions.

The opening panel, “Do You Get Déjà Vu?,” comprised of Gary Adelman, Partner, Adelman Matz PC; Linna Chen, Senior Legal Counsel, Litigation & Copyright, Spotify; and Ilene Farkas, Partner, Pryor Cashman, and was moderated by Sarah Matz, Partner, Adelman Matz PC, and Adjunct Professor at Fordham University School of Law. The panel discussed recent copyright cases, specifically Williams v. Gaye (the “Blurred Lines Case”) and Griffin v. Sheeran and deliberated about what these decisions mean for artists involved in copyright infringement suits.

The second panel, Robotic Rhapsody, explored the effects of AI-generated music on the music industry and its implications for music copyright law. The panel included Paul Fakler, Partner, Mayer Brown; Alex Mitchell, Co-Founder and CEO of Boomy Music (a Generative AI Music platform); and Marc Ostrow, Senior Counsel, Romano Law. The panel was moderated by Fordham Law Visiting Professor Shlomit Yanisky-Ravid.

The last panel of the day, Rhyme & Punishment, circled back to the use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials and the blatantly racist nature of this practice. Panelists included Erik Nielson, University of Richmond Liberal Arts Professor and Department Chair and Co-Author of the award-winning book Rap on Trial: Race, Lyrics, and Guilt in America; Amber Baylor, Columbia Law School Professor and Criminal Defense Clinic Director; Emerson Sykes, Senior Staff Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union (“ACLU”); and Kenan Kurt, Chief of Staff and Counsel for New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal. The panel was moderated by Fordham Law Professor Bennett Capers.

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