Abstract
Taylor Swift released six chart-topping albums during the tenure of her first recording contract with Big Machine Records, LLC. Upon expiry of the initial contract, Swift made a new home with Republic Records and contracted for her retained ownership of the masters for future works. Soon after, the masters to Swift’s first six albums were sold to an investment fund, preempting Swift from ownership. In an effort to regain control over her life’s work, Swift launched an initiative to re-record each of her first six albums. This note argues that copyright laws enforce a pervasive power dynamic between musicians and record labels, preventing artists from meaningful ownership over their creative accomplishments. Just as the methods for music production and consumption have evolved over time, the laws governing music copyright should evolve accordingly.
Recommended Citation
Neeranjan, Kylee
(2023)
"You Belong with Me: The Battle for Taylor Swift's Masters and Artist Autonomy in the Age of Streaming Services,"
University of Florida Journal of Law & Public Policy: Vol. 33:
Iss.
3, Article 3.
Available at:
https://scholarship.law.ufl.edu/jlpp/vol33/iss3/3