Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc.

Definition

Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. is a landmark Supreme Court case from 1994 that addressed the issue of fair use in copyright law, specifically in relation to parody and transformative use. The case involved rapper 2 Live Crew, who created a parody of Roy Orbison's song 'Oh, Pretty Woman,' which led to a significant ruling on how fair use applies to creative works. This case is crucial as it set important precedents regarding the balance between copyright protection and the right to free expression in digital art and beyond.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Supreme Court ruled that 2 Live Crew's parody was protected under fair use because it transformed the original work into something new and critical.
2. The case established that commercial use of a work does not automatically disqualify it from being considered fair use.
3. The court emphasized the importance of context and purpose when evaluating fair use claims, particularly for transformative works like parodies.
4. This ruling has been cited in various cases related to digital art and creativity, influencing how artists approach copyright in their works.
5. Campbell v. Acuff-Rose highlighted the ongoing tension between copyright holders and creators who want to build upon existing works for commentary or critique.

Review Questions

• How did Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music influence the understanding of fair use in artistic works?
  • Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music clarified that fair use can apply even when a work is used for commercial purposes if it is transformative in nature. The Supreme Court ruled that 2 Live Crew's parody changed the original song enough to warrant fair use protection. This case set a precedent that emphasizes the importance of context and intention behind using copyrighted material in artistic works.
• Discuss the role of transformative use as established by Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music in protecting creative expression.
  • The concept of transformative use was central to the ruling in Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, as it determined whether 2 Live Crew's parody was sufficiently different from Roy Orbison's original song. The Supreme Court highlighted that adding new expression or meaning is crucial for a work to qualify as transformative. This has since encouraged artists to create works that build upon existing content while still navigating copyright laws effectively.
• Evaluate the implications of the Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music decision on the relationship between copyright law and digital art creation.
  • The decision in Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music significantly impacts how copyright law intersects with digital art creation by affirming that parody and transformative uses can coexist within the realm of commercial activities. This legal clarity allows digital artists to draw inspiration from existing works without fear of litigation as long as their creations offer new perspectives or critiques. As a result, it has fostered a more vibrant environment for innovation and creativity within digital arts while still respecting copyright protections.

Related terms

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

Transformative Use: A concept in copyright law that refers to a new work that adds something new, with a further purpose or different character, altering the original work with new expression, meaning, or message.

Copyright Infringement: The unauthorized use or reproduction of copyrighted material in a way that violates the rights of the copyright holder.