In the wake of copyright cases like "Blurred Lines", these are highly cautious and litigious times in which the professional services of a Forensic Musicologist are essential to avoid lawsuits that can cost agencies, musicians, and companies millions of dollars.

My clients/cases include:
  • Johnson and Johnson, LLP Law Firm (Beverly Hills, CA)
    • In 2020, I was the musicology expert for plaintiffs in the Bad Bunny “Safaera” case, which settled out of court (AOM Music, Inc. v. Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio et al., 2:21-cv-07691, US District Court, Central District of California). Client: Neville L. Johnson.
  • Billionaire Burke (New York City)
    • In 2021, I assessed the similarity of two hip-hop songs. Client: Billionaire Burke.
  • Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC Law Firm (Birmingham, AL)
    • In 2022, I provided my in-depth expert opinion on music used in a Fortune Top 5 corporation's TV commercial. Client: W. Lewis Garrison, Jr.
  • McLaughlin & Stern, LLP Law Firm (NYC)
    • In 2023, I was retained to produce an opinion letter on alleged infringement in rap music; 2024 expert consulting on a reggaeton case. Client: Chester R. Ostrowski.
  • Landry Legal, PLLC (NYC)
    • In 2023, I opined on the similarity of two R&B songs. Client: James Landry.
  • Werge & Corbin Law Group (Denver, CO)
    • 2023-ongoing: I am the official expert in the federal lawsuit over #1 Billboard hit song, "Savage Love" (Matthew Spatola v. Jason Desrouleaux et al, 2:23-cv-06191, US District Court, Central District of California). Client: Tom Werge.
  • DelValle Studios (Los Angeles)
    • In 2024, I reported on interpolation in New Orleans bounce rap songs re: a blockbuster movie franchise. Client: Jade DelValle.
  • Law Offices of Kelly D. Shapiro (Los Angeles, NYC)
    • In 2024, I conducted audio & compositional analysis of an Emmy award-winning gospel record. Client: Kelly Shapiro.
  • Law Offices of Marc Jacobson, PLLC (NYC)
    • In 2024, musicology consulting involving music used in an advertisement by a major global brand. Client: Marc Jacobson.
  • Parness Law Firm (NYC)
    • In 2024, I opined on a lawsuit involving Mary J. Blige among others (TufAmerica, Inc. v. Universal Music Publishing, Inc., 1:24-cv-02585, US District Court, Southern District of New York). Client: Hillel Parness.
  • Gravy Films (West Hollywood, CA)
    • 2024 clearance consulting (comparing an original composition to a temp track). Client: Brent Stoller.
  • Caldwell Law Firm (Los Angeles)
    • In 2024, I consulted on a lawsuit involving the band YES (Rudolph Zahler v. Stephen Howe et al, 2:24-cv-09818, US District Court, Central District of California). I was featured in Rolling Stone, Stereogum, mxdwn. Client: Larry Caldwell.
See my articles for Law360's Expert Analysis column here and here.

I offer a unique set of assets:
  • My educational background in Music Theory (B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.) gives me a systematic way to compare melodies, rhythms, and chords (I have published on the subject in academic journals: see here).
  • I have over a decade of experience teaching & communicating music theory concepts to students of all ages, including many who lack formal training and can't read music. This lets me communicate advanced concepts clearly to laypersons.
  • Professor in the Faculty of Music at UNAM (the top university in Mexico and often considered the top
    in Latin America as well) and the Faculty of Communication at Anáhuac University (consistently ranked in the top five best private universities in Mexico) - ¡se habla español!
  • I'm not just an academic: I also work in the music industry as a producer, songwriter, and audio engineer for film & TV.
My forensic musicology services include:
  • A brief expert opinion letter or "preliminary assessment" using musicological analysis to confirm or refute whether two pieces of music are significantly similar (potential for copyright infringement), outlining the pros and cons of the case from a musicological perspective.
  • An initial expert listen with verbally reported findings (quick initial expert opinion).
  • A detailed, full musicological report using in-depth, systematic musicological expert analysis comparing the works in question for similarities and differences (in line with Rule 26 and Federal Rule of Evidence 702).
  • Comparing temp tracks or scores in film, TV, and advertising to the new version.
  • Music testimony: Consulting and appearing in trials or depositions as a music expert witness.
  • An intensive, systematic "prior art" search of my database of thousands of pieces (classical, pop, rock, and more) to find out the prevalence of a given musical pattern in the existing repertoire.

Contact Dr. Lustig below: