This case discusses the 1991 lawsuit between Gilbert O'Sullivan and his company Grand Upright Music against rapper Biz Markie and his record label Warner Bros. Records. Biz Markie had sampled and used music from O'Sullivan's song "Alone Again Naturally" in his own song without permission. When sued, Biz Markie claimed the plaintiffs were not the true copyright holders, but they provided documentation showing ownership. The court found Biz Markie liable for copyright infringement and he was forced to pay a substantial settlement. This case established that sampling copyrighted music without permission was illegal.

1. Grand Upright Music, Ltd. v. Warner Bros. Records Inc. (1991)

2. Really, though, the case is…

3. Gilbert O’Sullivan v. Biz Markie (1991)

4. This is the case that stopped rappers from “sampling” the music of other artists

5. It all started with a very bad decision.

6. Biz Markie wanted to use music that did not belong to him.

7. Biz Markie wanted to use music that did not belong to him. He had his lawyer send a letter to Gilbert O’Sullivan’s agent asking permission to use the music.

8. Biz Markie wanted to use music that did not belong to him. He had his lawyer send a letter to Gilbert O’Sullivan’s agent asking permission to use the music. Good decision !

9. Here’s the letter.

10. Here’s the letter. Good decision !

11. Biz Markie wanted to use music that did not belong to him. The lawyer even sent along a cassette tape of Biz Markie’s song that used O’Sullivan’s music. On 12-2-2011: http://www.unicor.gov/recycling/media_data.cfm

12. Before Gilbert O’Sullivan’s agent came to an agreement with Biz Markie’s lawyer…

13. Biz Markie released his album anyway! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OebqNsNRBtU

14. Biz Markie released his album anyway! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OebqNsNRBtU Bad decision !

15. Biz Markie released his album anyway! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OebqNsNRBtU Dude! What were you thinking?

16. Gilbert O’Sullivan’s company sued Biz Markie’s company

17. The case was heard in the Federal District court

18. (All copyright cases are heard in a Federal District court, not state courts)

19. There was no question that Biz Markie used the music of Gilbert O’Sullivan without permission.

20. The Biz Markie lawyers conceded that Biz Markie used the music of Gilbert O’Sullivan without permission.

21. Biz Markie defense?

22. Biz Markie defense? Um, we don’t think Grand Upright Music, Limited is the true copyright holder so they cannot be suing us.

23. Gilbert O’Sullivan had registered his copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office

24. Gilbert O’Sullivan had then sold the copyright to Grand Upright, Limited

25. Gilbert O’Sullivan had then sold the copyright to Grand Upright, Limited Grand Upright had the paperwork

26. Gilbert O’Sullivan had then sold the copyright to Grand Upright, Limited Grand Upright had the paperwork And O’Sullivan testified that they were the true copyright owners.

27. Biz Markie was found liable for the tort of copyright infringement.

28. Biz Markie and Warner Brothers Records paid Gilbert O’Sullivan and Grand Upright a “substantial” amount of money.

29. The exact amount was undisclosed.

30. Would you like to hear the two songs? Yes No

31. Here’s part of Markie’s song… (Listen to the piano, not the words)

32. Alone Again (Listen to the piano, not the words)

33. Let’s hear part of Gilbert O’Sullivan’s song… (Listen to the piano, not the words)

34. Gilbert O’Sullivan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhQgta94IG8 (Listen to the piano, not the words)

35. Biz Markie again

36. Biz Markie

37. Biz Markie Now just the Alone Again, Naturally part

38. Biz Markie Now just the Alone Again, Naturally part

39. Gilbert O’Sullivan Now just the Alone Again, Naturally part

40. Gilbert O’Sullivan Now just the Alone Again, Naturally part

41. Would anyone like to hear both songs in their entirety?

42. Would anyone like to hear both songs in their entirety? (It doesn’t really matter. Markie already admitted he used O’Sullivan’s music)

43. Biz Markie Entire recording (about 3 minutes)

44. Gilbert O’Sullivan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhQgta94IG8 (about 2½ minutes)