Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc.

Definition

Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. is a landmark Supreme Court case from 1994 that addressed the limits of copyright protection and the doctrine of fair use, specifically in relation to music sampling and parody. This case established that transformative use, like parody, can qualify for fair use even if it involves a commercial purpose, thereby influencing how copyright law applies to creative works.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The case involved the hip-hop group 2 Live Crew and their parody version of Roy Orbison's song 'Oh, Pretty Woman.'
2. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of 2 Live Crew, determining that their parody was a transformative use that fell under fair use.
3. The Court emphasized that commercial intent does not automatically disqualify a work from being considered fair use.
4. This ruling clarified that parody can be a valid form of commentary on the original work, deserving of protection under copyright law.
5. Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music has since served as a precedent for numerous cases involving fair use and copyright disputes in various forms of media.

Review Questions

• How did the Supreme Court define transformative use in relation to Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music?
  • In Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, the Supreme Court defined transformative use as an alteration of the original work that adds new expression or meaning. The Court found that 2 Live Crew's parody transformed the original song into a new commentary on its themes, which justified its classification under fair use. This case highlighted that simply using copyrighted material for commercial purposes does not negate the possibility of qualifying as transformative.
• What implications did Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music have on the understanding of fair use in copyright law?
  • The ruling in Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music significantly impacted how fair use is interpreted within copyright law by emphasizing that commercial intent does not automatically disqualify a work from being considered fair use. The case established that parody could serve as an important form of artistic expression and criticism, allowing creators to engage with original works without fear of infringing copyright if their work is deemed transformative. This has influenced subsequent rulings regarding the balance between protecting creators' rights and fostering creative expression.
• Evaluate the impact of Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music on contemporary discussions about copyright and creativity in digital media.
  • Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music has had a lasting influence on contemporary discussions about copyright and creativity in digital media by providing a framework for understanding how fair use applies to modern forms of expression like remixing and sampling. The case's emphasis on transformative use encourages creators to explore new interpretations of existing works while still considering copyright implications. As digital platforms continue to evolve and facilitate content sharing, this ruling remains pivotal in guiding legal perspectives on creative freedoms versus copyright protections.

Related terms

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

Copyright: A legal term that grants the creator of original works exclusive rights to their use and distribution, typically for a limited time, with the intent of enabling creators to receive compensation for their intellectual investment.

Transformative Use: A concept within fair use that refers to a work that adds new expression or meaning to the original work, thereby altering it in a way that qualifies it for protection under fair use.