12/27/2023 0 Comments Easy dance moves drawings![]() The rejection of what has come before us spawns great creativity and new contribution to dance languages, however, using what has been created before becomes an issue when the “rightful owner” stakes a claim in body movement. Congress specifies that they understand that these movements are not protected by copyright because social dance steps or simple routines lack the “originality” requirement. The Moonwalk is not a work protectable by Copyright Law because it is a “social dance step” or “simple routine,” which is explicitly not covered under copyright law. It is recognized as a ubiquitous, reusable dance move, and that is all it is: a singular move. ![]() No one is “wronged” by the fact that the Moonwalk has been reproduced time and time again by different people for different endeavors. Yet legally, no one has claimed ownership of the choreographic move. Bill Bailey popularized it in tap under the different name of “ The Backslide” at the Apollo Theatre in 1955 and even internationally and across different mediums, Marcel Marceau made use of the Backslide, or “Moonwalk”, in the 40s in France in his mimed “ Walking Against the Wind.” The list goes on and it seems that in every decade until Jackson performed it on live television in 1983, a new utility for the moonwalk entertained audiences. The beloved “Moonwalk Dance” popularized by and often accredited to Michael Jackson, was first expressed by Cab Calloway as early as 1930. Yet, even in their revolt from the styles imbued upon their bodies over the years, dancers still embrace the influence of their predecessors. Instructors go to lengths to get licenses to perform in the style of Fosse or Ailey, shaping the dancer’s movement language. Dancers grow up exposed to “greats” such as Balanchine and Bausch. Additionally, what can European artists do against famous American trendsetters? How Performers Face Issues of CopyrightĪll art is mimetic to a certain extent, and dance is no exception. This begs the question: just how far must performers go to protect their own creation? Especially across borders, because it does not seem to be enough to be the original creator of an expressed idea. Beyonce’s video mirrors de Keersmaeker’s choreographic sequences, costumes, and setting and yes, while de Keersmaeker is the creator, being the author does not grant her with extensive rights against the 2011 “Countdown” video. However, de Keersmaeker did not fully protect her work, as she did not register her work with the Copyright and Trademark office, and Beyonce’s later creation looks strikingly similar to de Keersmaeker’s former two choreographic works. In 1997, de Keersmaeker represented Rosas on a larger platform, filming her world renowned visual art as a movie. She later created a seminal piece, Achterland in 1990. ![]() In 1983, the budding choreographer presented her new choreographic work Rosas danst Rosas as part of the Kaaitheater Festival in Brussels. This recalls the controversy around Beyonce’s 2011“ Countdown” song, which accompanied by a music video which strangely resembles the earlier work of Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker. ![]() This seems like an extreme award and outcome for two women whose work when seen side by side do appear to be similar. Accordingly, the French court ruled that Lady Gaga did not infringe and even made Orlan pay Lady Gaga legal fees. Orlan faced multiple hurdles, because (1) she filed in French court and the court does not necessarily have jurisdiction over American parties to the case, (2) because Lady Gaga is known for outrageous costumes and characters and (3) Lady Gaga was already a major pop star at the time of the suit, and it is unlikely that she “free-rode”, having a mass following of her own. As well, Orlan would need to prove that her work inspired Gaga’s in some manner. Orlan argued that Lady Gaga was “free-riding” on her creations, that Lady Gaga created a conflation of her universe and Orlan’s, leading an audience member to believe that the two are interconnected or an extension of one another. In 2013 French artist Orlan began her suit against Lady Gaga in French court for copying her facial implants. Legal “steps” for dancers and choreographers: What are the legal basics for performing artists to protect their works? What does copyright entail? What is the legal recourse to infringement? Dance and Copyright: Legal “Steps” for Performers
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |