17 December 2009 — NY, NY:   IndiePix Films announced today the acquisition of distribution rights to “Copyright Criminals”, the film directed by Benjamin Franzen and produced by Franzen and Kembrew McLeod. This film traces the rise of hip-hop from the urban streets of New York to its current status as a multibillion-dollar industry through the re-use of portions of previously recorded music in new, otherwise original compositions. When lawyers and record companies got involved, what was once referred to as a “borrowed melody” became a “copyright infringement.” The film showcases many of hip-hop music’s founding figures like Public Enemy, De La Soul, and Digital Underground—while also featuring emerging hip-hop artists from record labels Definitive Jux, Rhymesayers, Ninja Tune, and more. It also provides an in-depth look at artists who have been sampled, such as Clyde Stubblefield (James Brown’s drummer and the world’s most sampled musician), as well as commentary by another highly sampled musician, funk legend George Clinton. IndiePix will manage the distribution of this film in theatrical, DVD, digital and new media markets throughout North America.  For more information on this title, check out this website. For information about the distribution of this title, please contact Alanna Raben, IndiePix at alanna@indiepix.net and include the film name in the subject line of your email. The deal was negotiated by Jason Tyrrell of IndiePix, Krysanne Katsoolis of Cactus3, and the film’s producers, under the legal counsel of Alan Korn.