DJ Drama/Don Cannon Mixtape Arrests on MTV

The above video tells the basic story for folks who’ve missed out.  Note the inaccuracy from the first cop who claims that if something isn’t copyrighted, then it’s a bootleg.  No, if something that’s copyrighted is used on another album or mixtape without licensing, then it’s a copyright violation.

But, the reality is, even though artists and record companies were in on DJ Drama’s mixtapes, if it’s not licensed, it’s illegal.  But they weren’t illegal just because the final product was not copyrighted.

The other problem with that claim is that copyright is legally bestowed once original work is either recorded or notated.  Filing with the government is not necessary to receive copyright, though it is necessary to claim damages.

Of course, part of the confusion stems from the scam of work for hire and the archaic con game of the music publishing system.  Not to say that DJ Drama or Don Cannon were confused about the legalities.  They were simply operating in an established environment in which a blind eye was turned on the licensing issue by the labels and artists in order to take advantage of a unique form of marketing.

ProHipHop’s Opinion – If you’re going to bust DJ Drama and Don Cannon, you should follow the complete paper trail and bust all the artists and the labels, especially since they’re using conspiracy laws.  But that would require an actual understanding of the mixtape situation by law enforcement.

For what will probably be a more political take, DJ Drama’s sister Aishah Simmons is interviewed on mixtapeshow.net.

Two weeks ago HoustonSoReal wrote the only decent thing I’ve seen on the rumors regarding a set-up and also talked to somebody from the RIAA about what was up.  I hope he’s going to follow up because I don’t see much investigation going on anywhere else.

DJ Drama gets the Southern Entertainment Awards’ Mix-tape DJ of The Year honor.

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ProHipHop Posts: DJ Drama/Don Cannon Mixtape Arrests