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Lauren Wilson
Associate Professor of Law
University at Buffalo School of Law
AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
Intellectual property law, in particular music copyright law, entertainment law, music theory
Lauren Wilson is a law professor who, in addition to her juris doctor, has a PhD in music theory. She is an expert on intellectual property law, especially music copyright law.
Copyright cases have traditionally focused on protecting melody, harmony and rhythm, and the law continues to view music as something written down on sheet music, Wilson says.
She argues, however, that most popular music is not written down, and even when it is, these barebones musical scores don’t capture the entire work. Much of today’s popular music instead focuses on creating new sounds from familiar concepts through layering, transformation, and other studio production techniques.
It is on these areas – production techniques in the studio or the sound concept the artist brings to their work – that the law should concentrate, she says, because that is where the innovation is happening now.
In addition to her work in music, Wilson thinks broadly about how all creative communities think about their work and where those ideas may conflict with the law. Wilson is also a classical guitarist, earning her bachelor’s degree in musical performance from Oakland University in Michigan. Wilson earned her JD from the University of Michigan, and PhD from the Eastman School of Music.
CONTACT:
Lauren Wilson, JD, PhD
Associate Professor of Law
University at Buffalo School of Law
- 716-645-2074
- lew9@buffalo.edu
- Lauren Wilson's website