George Clinton and the Funky Music Business: Copyrights, Publishing, and Protecting the Artist

George Clinton, leader of the P-Funk movement, also created innovative business relationships with his recording, publishing, and performance partners that included record companies, publishers and artists. In addition to being one of the first artists that produced recordings for several labels at the same time, he also faced many challenges protecting his copyrights, publishing interests and collecting monies due him for his brilliant creative work.  

Clinton and others will participate in a panel moderated by Assistant Chair of the Music Business Management Department John Kellogg, discussing these issues in an effort to enlighten and inform the next generation of talented musicians. 

Topics to include:

• George Clinton vs. the State of California: unauthorized use of the Funkadelic trademark, Clinton's name, and likeness and commercial exploitation
• The process for reclaiming copyrights and collecting royalties
• Fraudulent copyright filing
• Sampling of music
• Handle your "music business": suggestions from George on what to do and what not to do as an artist in the music industry.