Song Similarity Forensic Lab
Perform objective musicological comparisons on contested vocal hooks, basslines, and chord riffs. Compare melodic interval vectors, rhythmic alignment, and key-normalized pitch contours with audio playback.
Forensic Acoustic & Notation Compare
Interactive dual piano roll, interval alignment, and acoustic synthesis⚖️ Forensic Musicology Assessment: Substantial Similarity Indicated
The tested motifs exhibit high melodic contour correspondence (both start on tonic B2, leap up a minor 3rd to D3, move to the 4th/5th degree E3–F#3, and descend through identical diatonic steps). The underlying minor bass groove and syncopated harmonic rhythm share key structural pillars. Under US and European copyright frameworks (e.g. extrinsic substantial similarity test), this creates a tenable basis for access and copying scrutiny.
Note-by-Note Sequence & Interval Leap Matrix
| Step | Beat Position | Song A (Note : Semitone : Dur) | Song B (Note : Semitone : Dur) | Interval A | Interval B | Interval Match | Rhythm Match |
|---|
Musicological Copyright Methodology
How Courts Evaluate Musical Infringement
Copyright protection in musical compositions distinguishes between non-protectable musical building blocks (triads, scale runs, generic rhythm cadences known as scènes à faire) and protectable original selections and arrangements.
Expert musicologists analyze disputed works through the Extrinsic Test, breaking compositions down into discrete measurable elements: pitch sequence, melodic interval vector (Parsons code), duration ratios, and harmonic syntax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does transposing to a different key avoid infringement?
No. Courts normalize both songs to the same tonal center. If Song A is in B minor and Song B is in D minor, transposition by three semitones makes the exact interval leaps and contour directly comparable.
What is the Parsons Melodic Contour?
Devised by Denys Parsons, melodic contour tracks whether each successive note goes Up (U), Down (D), or repeats the Same (S). It captures the "hook" shape irrespective of exact tuning or vocal inflections.
Can this report be used in actual legal disputes?
This tool provides preliminary objective computational analysis based on standard music information retrieval (MIR) metrics. Formal litigation requires sworn expert witness testimony examining access, prior art catalogs, and full orchestration.