Christmas is a time for mashups

As I inevitably download "new" holiday music each year, it's painfully apparent we wouldn't *have* much new holiday music if it weren't for sampling, remixes, remakes, and mashups. The iTunes List of 44 Holiday Songs for 2007 is testament to this fact, as are the many Christmas remixes and dubs dotting the 'Net and the digital download inventory.

But all this Christmas cheer does not come cheap, especially for those who mix, mash, clip, and copy without jumping through Byzantine (if not impossible) licensing hurdles. Such artists may find their stockings stuffed only with costly lawsuits and astronomical damages liability. As Professor Patry wrote of the Bridgeport decision, "[I]n the end, it is creators of new sound recordings who build, transformatively on the works of predecessors who will suffer the most, and thereby all of us."

Even the likes of Disney are not necessarily immune. Do you hear what I hear? Namely, "War is Over" making a guest appearance in this Disney/Hannah Montana remake of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." (Starting at 1:50.)

Katie Wedell was kind enough to free "The List: 44 Holiday Songs for 2007" (whence Hannah/Ms. Cyrus wound up on my stereo) from the iTunes Store, should you care to browse. Keith Richards' Run Rudolph Run is a must-have:

1. The First Noel - Josh Groban and Faith Hill

2. Mistletoe - Colbie Caillat

3. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Hannah Montana

4. Happy Xmas (War is Over) - Maroon 5

5. Run Rudolph Run - Keith Richards

6. Santa Baby - Kellie Pickler

7. Frosty the Snowman - Toby Keith

8. Season's Greetings - Robbers on High Street

9. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Emmy Rossum

10. Let it Snow - Michael Bolton

11. All I Want for Christmas - Keith Sweat

12. Don't Shoot Me Santa - The Killers

13. Run Rudolph Run - Billy Ray Cyrus

14. O Come All Ye Faithful - Katharine McPhee

15. Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel - Joshua James

16. O Holy Night - Mandisa

17. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen / Feliz Navidad - Chanticleer

18. It Came Upon the Midnight Clear - Mannheim Steamroller

19. Silent Night - Lifehouse

20. On Christmas Day - Nazanin

21. What Child Is This - Michael W. Smith

22. Sleigh Ride - Relient k

23. Marshmallow World - Raul Malo

24. Jingle Bells - The Puppini Sisters

25. Do You Hear What I Hear - Yolanda Adams

26. Silver Bells - Mindy Smith

27. Wonderful Christmastime - Jars of Clay

28. The Dreidel Song - Sister Hazel

29. My Grown-Up Christmas List - Clay Aiken

30. Last Christmas - CASCADA

31. Santa Baby - Carter's Chord

32. We Need a Little Christmas - Kimberley Locke

33. The Best Christmas - Christopher Cross

34. Ding Dong! Merrily On High - The American Boychoir

35. Santa Claus is Coming to Town - Bucky Covington

36. Here Comes Santa Claus - Tracy Lawrence

37. Silent Night - Sinéad O'Connor

38. Bring Me Love - Marié Digby

39. Christmas in Dixie - Trent Tomlinson

40. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Bebo Norman

41. I Saw Three Ships - Rick Springfield

42. Please Come Home for Christmas - Josh Gracin

43. Chanukah, Oh Chanukah - Tor Hyams and JKidz

44. Holiday Bounce - Yo Yo Yo Kids