Re: So the monkey owns the copyright
> Yes, you do. Come back after you've googled "derivative work".
No, he does not own the copyright, unless a contract between him/her and the artist exists, and gives him/her explicit permission to record, and also transfers copyright. Depending on the terms of the contract, the artist may very well retain copyright, as the contract may have allowed recording, but not transferred copyright.
Without a prior written agreement, not only he would not be creating a "derivative work", but he would be infringing on the artist's copyright and may be subject to fines.
Recording a movie with your camcorder in a movie theatre is illegal in the USA, precisely because of Copyright Law. Recording devices are - by default - forbidden when you attend a music concert of any kind, also because of Copyright Law.
Look on the back sleeve of any CD containing a recording of a "live" concert. The artist, or the artist's managers still retain copyright, and the copyright is explicitly stated on the CD sleeve.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
