Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music

Definition

Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music is a landmark Supreme Court case from 1994 that established important precedents regarding the fair use doctrine within copyright law. The case centered on whether 2 Live Crew's parody of Roy Orbison's song 'Oh, Pretty Woman' constituted fair use, highlighting the balance between protecting artistic expression and upholding copyright interests. The ruling clarified how transformative works could be evaluated under the fair use standard.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of 2 Live Crew, determining that their parody was a transformative work and thus constituted fair use.
2. The case set a precedent for future interpretations of fair use, especially in cases involving parody and satire.
3. The Court emphasized that commercial intent does not automatically negate a finding of fair use.
4. The ruling clarified that the purpose and character of the use are critical factors in determining whether a use qualifies as fair use.
5. Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music is often cited in discussions about the boundaries of copyright protection and artistic freedom.

Review Questions

• What were the key factors the Supreme Court considered in determining whether 2 Live Crew's song constituted fair use?
  • The Supreme Court considered several key factors in determining fair use, particularly focusing on the purpose and character of the use, along with its transformative nature. They assessed whether the parody added new expression or meaning to Roy Orbison's original song and concluded that it did. Additionally, the Court noted that commercial intent does not automatically disqualify a work from being considered fair use, thus reinforcing that transformative works could still align with this legal doctrine.
• How did Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music influence future cases regarding parody and fair use in copyright law?
  • Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music significantly influenced future cases by clarifying how parody can be assessed under the fair use doctrine. It established that a parody could qualify as transformative even if it is created for commercial purposes. This precedent encouraged artists to create works that engage with existing copyrighted material critically and creatively, ensuring that later cases would consider transformative aspects more thoroughly when evaluating claims of fair use.
• In what ways does Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music reflect broader societal debates about copyright protection and artistic expression?
  • Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music reflects broader societal debates by highlighting the tension between copyright protection and artistic expression. The ruling acknowledged the importance of allowing artists to engage with and critique existing works through parody, promoting creativity while also addressing the interests of copyright holders. This case illustrates how courts must balance protecting original creators with fostering an environment where new ideas can flourish, ultimately influencing public discourse on intellectual property rights in an increasingly digital age.

Related terms

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

Transformative Use: A category of fair use that involves adding new expression or meaning to the original work, thereby creating something new and different, which can justify the use of copyrighted material.

Copyright Infringement: The unauthorized use of copyrighted material, which violates the rights granted to the copyright holder under law, potentially leading to legal penalties.