Collova on the Definition of Choreographic Works

Beyond Bikram: Stretching the Definition of Choreographic Works

Jodi L CollovaUniversity of San Francisco School of Law20161 Legal Info. Rev. 75 (2016)Abstract: The author analyzes the definition of choreographic works under copyright law. Pointing out the absence of a solid legislative or judicial definition for choreographic works, she analyzes the U.S. Copyright Office’s definition in its internal manual, suggesting that the manual’s definition is overly restrictive in its emphasis on “dance” movement because it excludes post-modern choreographic works that contain regular pedestrian movements. She posits that copyright law should look to choreographers to define choreographic works and discusses the nature of post-modern choreography with its emphasis on experimentation. She argues that the definition of choreographic works should be broadened to encompass post-modern works and to align the definition with the underlying purpose of copyright law, which is to promote the arts.