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ASK A MUSICOLOGIST

Musicologist services for attorneys, advertising agencies, music supervisors, composers, songwriters, broadcasters, and media companies. 
 
 

MUSIC SERVICES

MUSICOLOGIST REPORTS AND LITIGATION CONSULTING

Litigation-related services include preliminary analysis and comparison, commentary on and rebuttal of opposing musicologist’s findings, deposition and trial preparation, creation of supporting visual and audio materials, and expert witness appearances along with presentations designed to illuminate musical truths to non-musical judges and juries.

A forensic musicologist report is a detailed analysis of a musical work or works to illustrate the originality and substantial similarities of those works often used to substantiate or disclaim an inference that one was copied from the other and to clarify the relevant truths, often to a non-musical audience.

PREVENTATIVE MUSICOLOGY AND CLEARANCE REPORTS FOR ADVERTISING AND TELEVISION

Preventative musicology addresses concerns around a new musical work's originality and possible similarity to preexisting works. We preemptively assess the risk that an allegation, valid or not, of copying or copyright infringement claim could result. This is particularly appropriate when setting music to picture and in advertising. "Preventative forensic musicology” involves identifying and avoiding specific infringement risks while also assessing broader client risks associated with mistaken observations and spurious claims. When concerning issues arise, Brian works directly with clients and composers to modify compositions and mitigate these risks.

MUSIC SERVICES
CONSULTING

Broad range of advisory services related to general music supervisor matters, public domain availability, sampling, interpolations, and derivative works. Fluent in licensing parameters and agreement terminology, particularly as it relates to copyright and artificial intelligence-derived works or components. 

SAMPLE ANALYSIS AND AUDIO FORENSICS

Forensic audio analysis services to authenticate or otherwise determine if an audio production includes or is derived from a sample taken from another source, with or without permission or license. Clients can present two pieces of audio, and through the combination of expertise, leading-edge technology, database and prior art research, we provide expert analysis to determine if two audio selections employ identical source material.

HERE TO HELP

Happy to have a quick discussion about it. Need some help, but not sure what to call it? Let's just talk for five minutes. If I can't help you, I'll try to give you some ideas about next steps. Call (212) 217-9512 or use the chat function.

Music Equipment

Clients Only Area

Password-access. Designed primarily for clearances but available to any registered client by request. Information and File Uploaders.

Book an introductory call.

You can just pick up the phone and call now, or email me. But if you'd rather set up a fifteen minute call for a more convenient time, my calendar is available. Book a time.

About Us

MEET THE FORENSIC MUSICOLOGIST

A forensic musicologist, music theorist, and writer, Brian is a prominent music copyright expert, who, in addition to his musicological practice, Musicologize, runs a production music library, Sonitarium.com, and Mediagloss Audio Studio, which provides custom music, sound design, and audio experience consulting services to some of the world's biggest multimedia companies. He has composed and produced hundreds of pieces for commercials, tv, and interactive media.
 

McBrearty writes extensively on matters of music copyright and has degrees in both Music (BA double major in Music Theory and Composition and Jazz Studies; and a minor in Music Business) and Economics (BS) and is or has been a member of the American Musicological Society, the Copyright Society of the USA, the Society for Music Theory, the American Bar Association, and ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. 

Brian resides in the San Francisco Bay area. He happily accepts press and media inquiries, invitations to lecture to music and law students, and is always pleased to respond and contribute to the discussion of music copyright cases in the public interest.

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CONTACT

+1 (212) 217-9512

Thanks! We'll get back to you ASAP!

Brian writes articles on broader general musicologcal topics on Popular Musicology. 

Music and Sound Design Studio producing original audio for advertising, broadcast, games, and new media.

Production Music Library

News and commentary on the most interesting and current music copyright matters today.

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