Three photos of JaQuel Knight dancing on a red background. He looks straight into the camera in each pose

JaQuel Knight: Changing the Game, From Choreography to Copyright

“Choreographers are really the bastard kids of the industry,” he says. “We don’t have the respect that should be on our names based on the value we bring to a project, especially those of us who are Black and brown.” Earning choreographers that respect, he realized, would require forcing the industry to recognize their work’s value. And copyright—the establishment of legal ownership—would be his crowbar. 

What Copyright Protections Do Choreographers Have Over Their Work?

When choreography is created, is it protected by copyright? Yes and no. JaQuel Knight is facing this question today in his journey to copyright his iconic choreographic work with artists like Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion. Thanks to U.S. copyright law, the process has not been easy. Through a partnership with the Dance Notation Bureau, […]

Why Fortnite's Dance Animations Are a Can-of-Worms Copyright Problem

Online video game Fortnite is involved in serious controversy over its “emotes” dance feature. Even if you’re not a gamer, this is a case choreographers should keep close tabs on. Here’s why. Let us quickly introduce you to Fortnite Battle Royale: The video game sprung up in September 2017 and has grown to insane levels […]