Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music

Definition

Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music is a landmark Supreme Court case decided in 1994 that addressed the issue of copyright infringement and fair use in relation to parody. The case centered around the hip-hop group 2 Live Crew, who created a parody of Roy Orbison's song 'Oh, Pretty Woman' without permission, which led to a legal dispute over whether their use constituted fair use under copyright law. This case is crucial in understanding how courts evaluate the balance between protecting intellectual property and allowing transformative uses in communication.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of 2 Live Crew, determining that their parody was transformative and thus qualified as fair use.
2. The decision clarified that commercial use does not automatically disqualify a work from being considered fair use.
3. The Court established four factors for determining fair use: the purpose and character of the use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount and substantiality of the portion used, and the effect on the market for the original work.
4. Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music underscored the importance of balancing intellectual property rights with free expression and creativity in communication.
5. This case has had a lasting impact on subsequent fair use rulings, particularly in relation to parody and transformative works.

Review Questions

• How did the Supreme Court's ruling in Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music define the concept of fair use in relation to parody?
  • The Supreme Court's ruling established that parody could be considered fair use even if it is commercially motivated. The Court emphasized that a transformative use—like that of 2 Live Crew's song—adds new expression or meaning to the original work. This interpretation reinforced that creative expressions that comment on or criticize existing works could fall under fair use protections, thus encouraging artistic innovation while still respecting copyright laws.
• Discuss how Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music influenced subsequent cases related to copyright and fair use.
  • The ruling in Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music set a precedent for future cases involving copyright and fair use by emphasizing that transformative works should be evaluated favorably under fair use considerations. Following this decision, courts have more closely examined whether a work adds new expression or meaning, rather than merely considering its commercial nature. This has led to greater protections for parodies and other transformative uses in creative fields, impacting how artists navigate copyright laws.
• Evaluate the implications of Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music on the balance between intellectual property rights and freedom of expression.
  • Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music plays a crucial role in shaping the ongoing debate around intellectual property rights versus freedom of expression. By affirming that parody can qualify as fair use, the Supreme Court highlighted the necessity of allowing creative commentary within the bounds of copyright law. This case illustrates that protecting intellectual property should not stifle artistic innovation and expression; instead, there must be a balance that enables creators to engage with existing works while respecting the rights of original authors.

Related terms

Fair Use: A legal doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without obtaining permission from the rights holders, often applied in contexts like criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, and research.

Copyright Infringement: The unauthorized use of copyrighted material, violating the exclusive rights of the copyright holder.

Parody: A work created to imitate or comment on an original work, often for comedic effect, which can sometimes qualify for fair use protection under copyright law.