When Does a Beat Make You a Co-Writer?

In this episode of No Infringement Intended, Austin Padgett and Rusty Close wind up in Auckland and on TikTok, tracing how a teenage producer's "Laxed (Siren Beat)" became Jason Derulo's global hit "Savage Love." Along the way, they break down when contributing a beat (or a chorus fragment) makes you a songwriter rather than just a producer, how "toplining" works in modern pop, and why crediting someone after the fact is very different from clearing rights before a track blows up. Instead of treating viral success as a free-for-all, Austin and Rusty show how thinking like an IP attorney at the creation stage can keep collaborations profitable, creditable, and conflict-free. No Infringement Intended, hosted by Rusty Close and Austin Padgett, is your go-to podcast for exploring the fascinating intersection of intellectual property and pop culture. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.