“Kembrew McLeod and Peter DiCola have written a masterful exploration of the complex creative, financial, and legal issues raised by digital sampling. Their book should be required reading for anyone with a serious interest in music copyright.”
—Jessica Litman, author of Digital Copyright
“The fact that a seemingly simplistic artistic notion—of collecting, meshing, and arranging previously recorded sounds—would eventually result in a sharp and comprehensive book, Creative License, and companion film, Copyright Criminals, is mind boggling. This study is a work of art in itself, so solid that it may leave no other choice but to be sampled as well.”
—Chuck D, co-founder of Public Enemy
"Creative License is ... a great addition to the growing library of works showing that the endless addition of expanded property rights does nothing to 'promote the progress' of music, stifles expression and serves only to let Jimmy Page buy another Aleister Crowley first edition."
—Peter Shapiro, The Wire
“A methodical yet accessible exploration that addresses concerns from several perspectives and invites spirited discussion. Essential for students of intellectual property law, aspiring recording artists or producers, and hip-hop history buffs.”
– Library Journal