What does “bootleg” mean? | NETWORK

That means bootleg: illegal sound or film recordings

The term “bootleg” comes from the English language and means “boot leg” and colloquially “smuggle”. In the media sector, a “bootleg” is an unauthorized recording of sound or film recordings. “Bootlegs” are not the same as pirated copies.

Origin of bootleg

The term “bootleg” has been around in English for a long time, but the second meaning – sound and video recordings with a shady origin – only became established in the 20th century. During the US American Prohibition (1920-1933), alcohol was hidden in the bootleg and smuggled across the border. Here “bootleg” has been expanded to mean “smuggle”.

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The librarian and fan of the Metropolitan Opera, Lionel Mapleson, can be understood as the unintentional originator of today’s “bootleg”, since he recorded operas with his phonograph from 1901 to 1903. Blues and jazz musicians began being recorded in small clubs in the 1960s, but it’s rock music that made “bootlegs” big. The first significant “bootleg” was “Great White Wonder” (1969) with recordings by Bob Dylan.

Own labels were founded to spread the “bootlegs”, whereby these were produced in small numbers. So they have a certain collector’s value, also because musical “bootlegs” are unique performances, on stage or in the studio. Eventually, the “bootleg” hype spread to radio and television, with popularity not necessarily improving sound quality and bringing with it many fake products as well.

Legal or not legal?

Basically, “bootlegs” are mostly illegal because they were not authorized by the originator. Some artists, like Pearl Jam, are taking action against it, so the rock band released their own recordings of their concerts immediately after the performance. Others provide “bootlegs” for free or simply sue the black copiers or “bootlayers”.