Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc.

Definition

Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. is a landmark Supreme Court case from 1994 that addressed the fair use doctrine in copyright law, specifically concerning the transformative use of copyrighted material. The case involved the rap group 2 Live Crew and their parody of Roy Orbison's song 'Oh, Pretty Woman.' The Court ruled that the commercial nature of the parody did not automatically bar a finding of fair use, establishing that transformative use could justify fair use even in a commercial context.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Supreme Court ruled that 2 Live Crew's version of 'Oh, Pretty Woman' was transformative because it added new expression and meaning through parody.
2. This case clarified that commercial intent does not preclude a finding of fair use if the work is transformative.
3. The decision emphasized the importance of evaluating the purpose and character of the use in determining fair use.
4. The ruling also established that parodies can qualify as fair use even when they are created for profit.
5. Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. has since been cited in numerous cases involving fair use and copyright law disputes.

Review Questions

• How did Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. influence the understanding of fair use in copyright law?
  • The ruling in Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. significantly influenced fair use by establishing that transformative uses can qualify for fair use even if they are commercial in nature. The Court highlighted that parody serves a different purpose than the original work and can provide social commentary or criticism. This shift reinforced the idea that context matters when evaluating copyright infringement claims.
• Discuss the implications of the Supreme Court's decision regarding transformative use on future copyright cases involving parody and satire.
  • The Supreme Court's decision regarding transformative use set a precedent for how parody and satire are treated under copyright law. It allowed future cases to consider whether a new work adds significant new expression or meaning rather than just mimicking the original. This means that creators can feel more secure in using existing works for commentary or critique without fear of infringing copyright as long as their work is sufficiently transformative.
• Evaluate how Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. interacts with modern issues of digital copyright and piracy in today's media landscape.
  • Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. remains highly relevant in discussions about digital copyright and piracy as it underscores the complexity of fair use in an age where content can be easily replicated and shared online. The case supports creators who seek to produce transformative works like memes or remixes, which often blur lines with original copyrighted materials. As digital platforms proliferate and content sharing becomes ubiquitous, understanding how fair use applies helps navigate legal challenges surrounding creative expressions that may borrow from existing works while promoting innovation and free speech.

Related terms

Fair Use: A legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the rights holders, typically for purposes like criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.

Transformative Use: A concept within copyright law referring to a new work that adds new expression or meaning to the original and does not merely supersede it, often considered in fair use determinations.

Copyright Infringement: The unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of copyrighted material, which can lead to legal action by the copyright holder.