If everyone did this, people would have to come up with their own ideas, or even - heavens - learn to play musical instruments again. Hollywood reporter says:
It's an interesting legal area - when is fair use unfair, and when is an homage an act of thievery? When the person you're sampling wants money, that's when. Also, I did not know this:
The story is a bit more complex than that. I don't know if Clinton has been aggressive, or whether people who hold the copyright on his songs have been aggressive. This piece about "sample trolls" discusses a company that bought up rights to songs, and sues people who sample them. Says Slate:
Sounds like Clinton is doing it for himself now, perhaps to make up for lost time. And time, as they say, is money.
Anyone patented that cliche yet? No? Whew.
