Queen’s University will be offering a unique entertainment law course centered on pop star Taylor Swift, teaching core concepts in entertainment law using Swift’s interactions with the legal system as case studies. Associate Dean Mohamed Khimji, a self-described Swiftie, will teach the course, which will cover contract, trademark, and copyright law. The idea for the class came about during a discussion about Swift’s re-recordings of her albums, prompting Khimji to explore the legal and business reasons behind her decision.
The course, titled Law (Taylor’s Version), will delve into the distinction between ownership of masters and performance in copyright law using Swift’s re-recordings as a case study. It will also explore lawsuits Swift faced for copyright infringement and focus on trademarks using Travis Kelce as a case study. Additionally, it will cover Swift’s legal feud with Spotify and her decision to remove her music from the platform due to royalties concerns. The course aims to provide students with a deep understanding of entertainment law through real-world examples from Swift’s career.
When Khimji initially pitched the Swift-themed course to Queen’s Faculty of Law, he faced skepticism around using a pop culture phenomenon as a subject for a professional school class. Despite the initial doubts, he was able to prove the academic value of the course and get it approved. Khimji believes that incorporating relatable course material, such as entertainment law focusing on celebrities like Taylor Swift, can enhance students’ engagement and enthusiasm for legal studies.
Entertainment law is already an attractive area of study for students, with the rise of social media influencers contributing to a growing demand for legal and business specialization in this field. Khimji believes that the entertainment industry’s agreements and contracts will become more prevalent as influencer marketing continues to expand. By offering Law (Taylor’s Version) as an upper-year elective for second- and third-year law students, Queen’s University aims to prepare students for the contemporary legal landscape and provide them with practical knowledge applicable to real-world scenarios.
The course will cover core concepts in entertainment law with a focus on Taylor Swift’s legal battles and business decisions. Using Swift as a case study, students will gain insights into copyright, trademark, and contract law in the context of the entertainment industry. Khimji’s aim is to make legal education more engaging and relatable by incorporating contemporary topics like Swift’s legal challenges, emphasizing the importance of understanding the evolving legal frameworks in industries like entertainment. Law (Taylor’s Version) will offer students a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of law, business, and pop culture through the lens of one of the music industry’s biggest stars.
