JUDITH FINELL MUSICSERVICES INC.
Consulting • Research • Music Copyright Matters •
Music Industry Support
Background
Copyright Infringement Matters
Services for Law Firms
Services for Film, Television, and Commercials
Services for Advertising Agencies, Music
Production Houses, Publishers, Composers, and Recording Companies
Lectures, Presentations, Workshops on Risk Avoidance for Music Copyright Issues
Advantages of Our Service
Judith Finell is a musicologist educated at a top graduate school (M.A., University of California, Berkeley - Major: Musicology, Specialization: 20th Century Music; B.A., U.C.L.A. - Major: Piano Performance). She has written extensively on contemporary music, including a 250-page book for the American Music Center: The Contemporary Music Performance Directory. She has written numerous articles on contemporary music, modern composers and techniques, and has edited a great deal of standard and modern music for publishers. She has also worked with many composers in developing their musical ideas and in creating new music technologies.
Judith Finell is President of Judith Finell MusicServices Inc., which is in its 27th year of providing a variety of services to the music industry, including representation of performing musicians and composers, career development, publicity, concert management, and consulting on special projects for music organizations.
COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT MATTERS
As a professional musicologist, Judith Finell provides music analyses, expert testimony, and research on copyright infringement matters. Advertising agencies and law firms call on Judith Finell MusicServices to provide opinions on the similarities and differences between two pieces of music, whether one might be a copy of the other, and related issues. Immediate, on-the-spot telephone consultations are available, as well as highly detailed, written analyses and research reports. We have worked with leading law firms as well as major advertising agencies, music production houses, and publishing and recording companies.
Musical Comparisons and Analysis
We supply detailed reports or immediate feedback as to the degree of similarity and differences between two pieces of music. Analyses include all elements of a musical composition: melody, rhythm, harmony, text/lyrics, instrumentation, style, meter, and key. Attorneys find this helpful in evaluating a potential or asserted copyright infringement claim on behalf of a copyright proprietor or alleged infringer.
Musical Theories
Within the rules that have governed musical composition for centuries, there are numerous principles and theories that often determine the outcome of present-day music. Identifying which principle applies to the music at hand could explain why similarities or differences exist. For example, two pieces of music that appear to be similar might do so because of established musical tradition, rather than plagiarism. Conversely, two pieces of music that sound different at first might actually be highly similar, where the similarities are disguised by such compositional devices as ornamentation, modulation or transposition.
Prior Art
Where needed, we research prior art with encyclopedic comprehensiveness. This can sometimes show that where an alleged infringement appears similar to a copyrighted work, the copyrighted work is unoriginal or the alleged infringement is in the public domain. If necessary, we go back as far as the 15th century to find music related to the composition at hand, and often use examples from such great masters as Mozart, Beethoven, or J.S. Bach, as well as within the music of today.
Testimony
Judith Finell is available as an expert witness and can prepare visual presentations, including charts and illustration as well as musical examples, using state-of-the-art technology. All presentations are carefully created to be understood by judges and jurors without musical training.
Professional Cataloging of Music Collections for Estates
Judith Finell studied cataloging and worked with Vincent Duckles (University of California), the professionally recognized leader in the field who has written the accepted "bible" of music cataloging. She has written numerous catalogs, discographies, and music collection analyses for music publishers, composers, collectors, and music libraries. This service includes professional opinion as to whether an edition is an original, a copy in the composer's hand, etc. This often proves useful for a fair appraisal of an estate.
SERVICES FOR FILM, TELEVISION, AND COMMERCIALS
We provide music supervision services for film and television companies, as well as for advertising and recording companies. We also consult on obtaining music rights and clearances, and other licensing issues. We have had many years of experience in advising film studios, television, independent film makers, and advertising agencies on the music they are using, especially as it pertains to intellectual property issues.
SERVICES FOR ADVERTISING AGENCIES, MUSIC PRODUCTION HOUSES, PUBLISHERS, COMPOSERS, AND RECORDING COMPANIES
Musical Analysis and Opinion
We can provide detailed information on music you have composed or used. This can help eliminate your infringement of others' rights or determine whether others may be infringing upon yours. On request, we give you a thorough analysis of the similarities and differences between your piece and others, and our opinion as to whether they are closely related and possible copies of one another.
Music Research
We can determine whether music you wish to use is in the public domain, and can provide exact copyright status.
Compositional Skill and Style
We can provide appraisals and comparison of various composers' works that you have received, and, if asked, evaluate their relative suitability to your needs. If you wish, we can provide alternative suggestions as to other composers who may be helpful to you.
LECTURES, PRESENTATIONS, WORKSHOPS ON RISK AVOIDANCE FOR MUSIC COPYRIGHT ISSUES
Immediate Assistance
If requested, due to the pressure of deadlines, court dates, and broadcast schedules, we can provide immediate answers to questions - within the same day that we are asked, a brief answer can be given - with a more detailed report to follow, if needed.
Location
We are based in Bronxville, a suburb of New York City, and will gladly messenger reports, charts, and any other elements of musical analyses that you request within the city. Throughout the U.S. and abroad, we use e-mail and overnight delivery services, and can respond quickly to your needs.