Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc.

Definition

Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. is a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case from 1994 that addressed the issue of fair use in copyright law, particularly concerning the use of a copyrighted song in a parody. The court's decision clarified that a transformative use of a copyrighted work, such as parody, can qualify for fair use, emphasizing the importance of context and purpose in determining fair use claims.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Supreme Court ruled that 2 Live Crew's parody of Roy Orbison's 'Oh, Pretty Woman' was transformative and qualified as fair use.
2. The case emphasized that commercial nature of a work does not automatically negate fair use if it serves a different purpose than the original.
3. The ruling established that parody could be an important form of expression and protected under fair use provisions.
4. The decision highlighted the need for courts to consider the context and message of a work when evaluating fair use claims.
5. Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. set a precedent for future cases involving fair use and creative expression in various media.

Review Questions

• What was the central issue in Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc., and how did the Supreme Court rule on it?
  • The central issue in Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. was whether 2 Live Crew's parody of 'Oh, Pretty Woman' constituted fair use under copyright law. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of 2 Live Crew, determining that their use was transformative because it provided social commentary through parody, thus qualifying for fair use even though it was used commercially.
• Discuss how the ruling in Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. impacts future interpretations of fair use and parody in journalism.
  • The ruling in Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. has significant implications for future interpretations of fair use in journalism by affirming that parodies serve an important societal role and can be protected even if they are commercially driven. This case sets a precedent that encourages creative expression while also allowing journalists to utilize existing works for commentary and critique without facing legal repercussions for copyright infringement.
• Evaluate how the concept of transformative use applies to various forms of media beyond music and its relevance in contemporary copyright discussions.
  • The concept of transformative use is crucial across various media forms beyond music, such as visual arts, literature, and digital content. By establishing that a work must add new meaning or message to be considered transformative, the ruling in Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. encourages creativity and innovation while balancing the rights of original creators. This ongoing relevance in contemporary copyright discussions reflects the evolving nature of content creation and distribution in the digital age where users remix and reinterpret existing works more than ever.

Related terms

Fair Use: A legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder under specific conditions, such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.

Parody: A humorous or satirical imitation of a particular work or genre, often used to comment on or criticize the original work.

Transformative Use: A standard used in copyright law that evaluates whether a new work adds something new and valuable to the original work, thereby altering its purpose or character.