
Whose Song Is It Anyway?
A podcast that unpacks the big legal questions shaping the music and creative industries, using real case studies from viral sampling and interpolation to AI-generated tracks. Host Dr Hayleigh Bosher, an IP lawyer, explains complex copyright law in clear, jargon-free language. Each episode is short and focuses on a current legal dispute, blending authority with a bit of wit. Aimed at anyone curious about the legal battles behind the music they love.
Episodes

Deepfakes and Digital Identity
Without personality rights you do not own the digital version of your face, image, voice or likeness. This episode dives into the harms caused by unauthorised deepfakes and what we can do about it. I discuss: What rights to artists have over AI generated versions of themselves? What’s the current legal position on voice cloning and deepfakes in the UK today? What are other countries doing to addre

All About Streaming
This episode covers the UK Streaming Inquiry; how it started, what went down and the outcomes including the Agreed Principles and what those means for artists, songwriters and musicians – from wiping unrecouped advances, contract negotiation to payment of per diems for songwriting sessions - and how we measure if these Principles are effective or not, with the songwriter and artist surveys. I also

AI and the Law
This episode is all about the law and policy around AI and copyright. By the end of this episode, you will better understand the process of how law is made and feel that you know, and are entitled to, engage in that process. I also answer: How is law made? What are governments and regulators doing to protect artists from AI? Is current, or proposed UK law adequate for this challenge? How can artis

AI in the Studio
Diplo says music makers need to embrace AI, Jack Antanoff says those who do are bad actors. I explore these perspectives in this week’s episode and answer: Does AI generated music infringe copyright and how does the law currently stand? What happens if I upload my music to an AI platform? How do I protect my music from being trained by AI models without my consent? As well as, outside of the hype,

Power, Politics & the Music Industry
According to the UK Music Report, Black Music Means Business, over 80% of the UK music market originates from Black Music genres, and yet, we also know that Black artists face systemic racism, with data showing that Black women are the most disadvantaged in the UK Music industry. This episode discusses racism, sexism and discrimination in the music industry, including: How do industry power dynami

Sign on the Dotted Line
Why did TLC file for bankruptcy after selling 10 million albums?! In this episode I’ll tell you the story of how one of the best-selling American girl-groups of all time filed for bankruptcy, held their label to account and restructured their finances. I’ll also answer: What’s contract got to do with copyright? What do I need to understand before I sign anything? Can I re-negotiate my contract? Ca

The Art of The Sample
Why did Beyoncé remove a sample of the song Milkshake from her track ENERGY, even though she had cleared the rights? In this episode I talk about the history of sampling and answer: what is sampling and where did it come from? Can I sample that clip and how much can I take before it becomes a sample? Plus, what are the copyright exceptions do any apply and what happened in a 25-year case over a 2

Inspiration or Theft?
What is the difference between taking inspiration and copying? In this episode I deep dive into the test for copyright infringement by talking you through the story of the Ed Sheeran v Sami Switch case, over the songs Shape of You and Oh Why. Plus stories of copying disputes in photography and fashion. I also answer: Can I get sued for making music that sounds like someone else’s? What is the lega

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Even in the height of 90s contracts, the Spice Girls still made some smart choices there are benefiting from today. In this episode, hear about how they did this, and why is Spice World not on your streaming service… yet?! I also answer: What's a split sheet, why do I need one? And one of the most common questions I get asked in the industry: How do we decide the split? Plus, what does 'jo

Show Me The Money
Why did Dolly Parton turn down a deal for Elvis to record a version of 'I Will Always Love You'? In this episode we learn from Dolly about how manage your rights, plus I cover what collecting societies to sign up to and ultimately, how to get paid, as well as how income from streaming subscriptions is divided up and how all this sits within a music industry that has a data problem. IN THIS

What Even IS Copyright?
Would RAYE have won a Grammy and a record-breaking six BRIT Awards in a single night if she had stayed trapped in her record deal? In this first episode, we get to grips with some copyright basics, answering: what is copyright and what does it actually do? Who owns copyright and how can we use it as a tool? And importantly – why should we care about copyright? Hayleigh dives into why every musicia

Season 4 Trailer
Season 4 of the Whose Song is it Anyway? podcast, hosted by Dr Hayleigh Bosher, is coming 23rd July 2026! Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.The podcast that acts as your guide to understanding the big legal questions shaping the music and creative industries right now. Each bitesized episode dives into real, current case studies – from viral sampling disputes and interpolat

Women in Music Panel with Brix Smith, Katie Waissel and Charlene Brown Season Finale
This special epsisode for the finale of this season was recorded live at the Houses of Parliament with a panel of incredible women Brix Smith, Katie Waissel and Charlene Brown at a Whose Song is it Anyway? event. Pictures of the event are here: https://shorturl.at/mqHL6
To hear about future events follow Hayleigh on social media, or email whosesongisitanyway@gmail.com
Thanks for listening to thi

Eve Horne
Eve Horne - singer, songwriter, producer, executive director of the Music Producers Guild, founder of the Unheard Academy where she teaches female and non-binary people music production, and the host of the We Are The Unheard Podcast, amongst other things!
In this episode we talk about Eve’s journey from BRIT School, being signed, touring with a girl group, to leaving the music industry and then

Naomi Pohl
*trigger warning* mentions reports of sexism and misogyny from Musicians' Union members, including sexual harassment and sexual assault.
Naomi Pohl is the General Secretary of the Musicians' Union, a trade union for professional musicians in the UK. Naomi is the first women to hold this position in the MU. We talk about her experience of being the first and being a woman in a position of

Michelle Escoffery
Michelle Escoffery is an award winning singer-songwriter, has taught as a lecturer at various institutions, is President of the PRS Members’ Council and on Ivor’s Academy Trustee Board.
We talk about Michelle’s experience of coming into the music industry as part of a musical family from a young age. I ask Michelle what has been the enablers and challenges that she has faced and overcome to succe

Dyvr
Dyvr is a musician, creative and activist working in the queer community and the founder of live music safe space, Sounds Queer. Dyvr talks about their experience of being in music, highlighting the challenges faced by non-binary and trans artists in the industry, sharing why they founded Sounds Queer and how that is creating a safe space for queer artists to grow.
https://www.instagram.com/dyvrof

Imogen Heap
Singer, songwriter Imogen Heap is known for her music making as much as for her innovation and pioneering approach to music, from her Mimu gloves to the Creative Passport.
In this episode Imogen shares her journey to a recent ADHD diagnosis and navigating the world with ADHD. We talk about the positives and the challenges of being neurodivergent, and how important it is to support each other, es

Vick Bain
Vick Bain is the founder of the The F List and is currently completing her PhD at Queen Mary University of London in the Centre for Research in Equality and Diversity looking at the experience of women in music. She was previously the Past President Independent Society of Musicians (ISM), the former CEO of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (the Ivor's Academy), and has

Charisse Beaumont
Trigger warning: Discusses racism. Some swearing.
Charisse Beaumont is the Chief Executive of Black Lives in Music, a research and advocacy organisation advocating for black music creators and industry professionals. In this episode Charisse talks about the work that BLIM have been doing, the first research to be done on the experience of black people in the music industry, which highlights that

Helen Choudhury
Helen Choudhury is an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion change management specialist and Head of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Music Publishers Association. Helen tells us about how she got into this work and what she has been doing in her role at the MPA. Helen also shares about how her work has been informed by her experience of living with endometriosis and adenomyosis and talks us through

Cari Quoyeser & Silvia Olivieri
Cari Quoyeser is an indie rock singer, songwriter, lyricist, performer, artist, voice actor, and Global Artists Community Manager. Silvia Olivieri is a Publishing Program Manager, and previously collaborated with Imogen Heap on her research Life Of A Song and worked as Senior Copyright Assistant at Kobalt Music Publishing for three years.
In this episode, we talk about pushing back on the false n

Sarah Woods
Deputy Chief Executive at Help Musicians, Sarah Wood has been in the music industry around 30 years, so she draws on her breath of experience to discuss how things have changed overtime as a woman. We build on last week’s episode on the topic of coming back to work after having a child, Sarah’s experience was whilst working for a corporation rather than as a freelancer. We also talk about reflecti

Olga Fitzroy
Olga Fitzroy is a recording and mix engineer who has worked on records for Coldplay, The Foo Fighters and Muse, as well as film scores for top composers including Hans Zimmer and Dario Marianelli and assisted Sir George Martin on the last ever Beatles recording for the 2006 album, Love.
We talk about the challanges of having a child as a freelancer working in the music industry. Olga is campaignin

Grace Meadows
Grace Meadows is Campaign Director at Music for Dementia, music therapist and Bassoon player. We talk about the gift of music and the power of music therapy, and how we can harness this power to help build connections and alleviate our struggles with mental and physically health conditions.
Grace shares her journey from music school to music for dementia, her experience of the music industry commu

Chess Galea
Trigger warning: Mentions sexual harassment, some swearing.
Chess shares her experience of being a woman in music, and why she is so motivated to help make the industry a safer place. We air our frustrations on navigating the terrain of being friendly and networking and asserting boundaries whilst still being acceptable and not missing out on opportunities. We also talk about how the industry need

Nadia Khan
Nadia Khan has been in the music industry for over 20 years, doing many things including music management, founding Women in CTLR - which empowers women into positions of leadership - and is Chair of AIM.
Nadia shares her inspiring story of how she came to her career, through nothing short of resilience and persistence, we talk about the constant battle of pushing back on gender norms and assumed

Stephanie Haughton-Campbell
Trigger warning: Discusses racism, some swearing
Stephanie Haughton-Campbell is Director of Operations at UK Music and has over 30 years’ experience in the music industry. Stephanie shares her experience of racism and the challenges of being a Black woman in the music industry. As a woman in a position of leadership, Stephanie talks about what she thinks makes a good leader and how damage can be d

Hazel Savage
Hazel Savage is VP Music Intelligence at SoundCloud and has worked in the music industry for over 15 years, from HMV, to Shazam, to creating her own AI company, Musiio. She was also in an all-female punk band, and you can tell. This women’s energy and spirit is infectious, you won’t be able to listen to this episode without feeling elevated and motivated!
Hear about how Hazel’s adventures of being

Introducing the 'Women in Music' Season: Hayleigh Bosher
Welcome to Season three of the podcast! This episode explains why this season is different and what to expect...
This season is produced and hosted by Hayleigh Bosher https://www.instagram.com/hayleigh.bosher/
Edited by Eliza Kania https://twitter.com/elizakania
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios

DJ S.K.T (Steve Tempest)
Steve Tempest AKA DJ S.K.T is a DJ, Producer and Label Manager. In this episode we talk about music sampling (of the composition and/or the master), fair deals and arrangements for song splits and joint ownership when creating music. Steve also shares his experience with getting back to live gigs after the pandemic.
https://clubsweat.lnk.to/GotYourMoneyFa
Producer and co-host: Hayleigh

Jane Dyball
Jane Dyball is a long time music industry executive, working mostly in publishing from Virgin, Warner and ran MCPS Collecting Society. More recently she runs her own consultancy business. Looking back over the historical developments in the music industry during Jane’s career, of which there were many. Jane shares her experience of being on the publishing side of the changes brought into the music

Claire Batchelor
Claire Batchelor is a Composer for TV, Documentary, Film and Brands. In this episode we talk about how composers can get paid for their work and Claire talks about her work with the Ivor's Academy on the Composers Against Buyouts campaign. She shares her experience as a composer and figuring out what a fair deal is, and we also discuss rights revocation.
https://www.clairebatchelor.co.uk/&nb

Will Page
Will Page is the former Chief Economist at Spotify and PRS, and author of Tarzan Economics. What's important about 285 miliseconds? Will reveals the psychology behind the Spotify Play button, and we discuss the pricing of streaming service subscriptions.
https://tarzaneconomics.com/
Producer and co-host: Hayleigh Bosher
Co-host: Jules O'riordan
Editor: Eliza Kania

Niclas Molinder
Niclas Molinder is a Swedish songwriter and producer. He founded Session and the Music Rights Awareness Foundation working in collaboration with WIPO to form WIPO for Creators. Niclas explains what the identifiers are - essential information that artists and songwriters need to know about in order to get paid royalties! He tells us all about his company's free app, Session Studio, which helps song

Des Agyekumhene
Des Agyekumhene is an artist manager, NFT consultant, and co-founder of Soga world - who did the first NFT project with Neo and assisted Aitch in launching his "NFT album". We talk about NFTs and what opportunities and challenges there are for artists in the NFT space, Des shares his refreshing perspective on these technologies.
https://soga.world/
https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2022/06/ten-things-

Damien Riehl
Damien Riehl is a lawyer, musician and technologist. He talks to us about this project All The Music and we discuss the ‘you copied my song’ lawsuits. What should be copyright protected and how would that effect the legal test for copyright infringement claims? And why do these cases keep coming?
http://allthemusic.info/
Producer and co-host: Hayleigh Bosher
Co-host: Jules O'Riordan
Editor: Eliza

Roxanne de Bastion
Roxanne de Bastion is a singer, songwriter and performer. She sits on the board of the Featured Artist Coalition and the perfomer board at PPL. In this episode Roxanne talks about her experience of making music and building her careeer, sharing the lessons that she learnt along the way.
https://roxannedebastion.com/
https://thefac.org/
https://www.ppluk.com/
Producer and co-host

Kevin Brennan MP
In this episode I chat to Kevin Brennan MP about the DCMS Select Committe Inquiry into the Economics of Music Streaming and his Copyright (Rights and Remuneration of Musicians, Etc.) Bill. We talk about the inquiry, the recommendations made and the Bill, and what all this could mean for songwriters, performers and the future of the music industry.
This episode was recorded at an event organised fo

Jules O'Riordan, Music Lawyer
In this final episode of the series, Jules talks about his career as a DJ and music lawyer and the mentality of being an artist/lawyer. Jules talks about how, as a music lawyer, he helps his clients make commercial decisions, clear rights or negotiate deals, as well as making a positive influence in the broader sense by moving the goal posts of these contracts. Jules gives some advice to budding m

Christian Siddell, Musicologist
Musicologist Christian Siddell explains what a musicologist does and how he became one, we also discuss what needs to be added to an out of copyright song in order for it to qualify as a new arrangement and Christian talks about one of the first cases he worked on - about the song Young at Heart recorded by The Bluebells.

Tom Kiehl, UK Music
Tom Kiehl is Deputy CEO and Director of Public Affairs at UK Music. In this episode Tom tells us what UK Music is about, how to get involved in the politics of the music industry, explains the practicalities of the process of a public consultation, such as the streaming inquiry, and what happened when UK Music took the government took court in Judicial Review in 2014 over the private copying excep

Dennis Collopy, Researcher
Dennis Collopy has been in the music industry for 45 years, from his first contract with David Bowie to being an academic now at the University of Hertfordshire. Dennis talks about his research into illegal stream ripping, the data issues in the music industry, tells us the types of problems that artists and performers have with the admin that allows royalties payments. We then discuss artificial

Imogen Heap, Artist
Imogen Heap is a singer-songwriter and we can certainly also describe her as an entrepreneur and pioneer! In this episode Imogen talks about what drives her in creativity and innovation, and shares with us her latest endevours with blockchain, artificial intelligence, mycelia and The Creative Passport (www.creativepassport.net).

Munya Chanetsa, Sony Publishing
Munya Chanetsa, A&R Manager for Africa at Sony Music Publishing, chats about the music inudstry in the continent of Africa, the importance for artists and performers to understand their rights, and how COVID has provided time for reflection and engagement with rights. Munya also shares how the injustice of Solomon Linda and his song, Mbube, which transformed into the Lion Sleeps Tonight (best know

David Martin, FAC
David Martin, CEO of the Featured Artist Coalition (FAC), talks about the impact of COVID-19 on artists and the music industry, the difference between licensing or assigning your rights e.g. demonstrated by Bob Dylan who recently sold his catalogue, but then the share of that sale being determined by the wording of the contract with his co-author. Of course, we cover the streaming inquiry, and gen

Bill Patry, Google
Bill gives a heartfelt account of his career from private practice, law making, professor, to Senior Copyright Counsel at Google, and what most people might not know is that Bill is also a life long musician. He gives us insights into the challanges of law making, we talk about the US test for copyright infringement particularly in the cases of Blurred Lines, Stairway To Heaven. Bill explains why

Annabella Coldrick, MMF
Annabella Coldrick, CEO of the Music Managers Forum (MMF) talks about the changing artist manager dynamic, then we hear Annabella’s views on the UK music streaming inquiry, we consider where the line is between radio and streaming, and should we decide it from a technical or experiential perspective? Plus, Annabella talks about the need for better transparency and partnership within the music indu

Tom Gray, Artist
Tom Gray talks about creativity and originality in song creation, as well as the #BrokenRecord campaign, the current UK streaming inquiry, equitable remuneration, plus why and how musicians and artists can engage in copyright policy.

Ali Condon, PRS for Music
Ali Condon, from PRS for Music, explains why copyright is so important for creators, such as songwriters, composers and artists. We talk about originality in music creation, what copyright infringement is and how musicology plays a role in deciding if two songs are substantially similar. Ali shares her experience working with PRS members and engaging in copyright policy, such as the with the EU Co

Crispin Hunt, Songwriter
Crispin Hunt shares his songwriting stories from Longpigs to “Army of Lovers,” and more recently working with artists including Ellie Goulding, Florence and the Machine, Jake Bugg and Lana Del Ray. We talk about that fine line between taking inspiration and copyright infringement, as well as Crispin's work at the Ivor’s Academy and how he thinks copyright needs to change to benefit creators.
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