Are you all worried about the Protect IP Act?

[Professor Zoom]

Free speech? Remember the content being talked about is their property and practically everyone agrees they can do what they want with it! Personally I don't think intellectucal property is like your toothbrush, nor do I think that property rights include the power to set your own prices or forbid usage. But then, by most people's standards I'm far left.

However, parody is PROTECTED speech. if I did a parody of Star Wars, Lucas can't demand I take it down. Well, he can demand, but, I'm legally protected. He cannot stop me from making a parody.

Weird Al doesn't ACTUALLY need permission to do the parodies he does. (He does ask because he's a gentleman.)

Read up on on Parody as protected speech.

Edited to add: Parody and satire are different. Parody is protected, satire is not.

Yes he does. He got in trouble with Coolio back when he did a parody of his song, 'Gangsta's paradise' without his permission.

now it's all right though...

No. He DOESN'T. He doesn't NEED permission LEGALLY. As long as he shares any more made, Coolio couldn't STOP a parody, LEGALLY.

From YOUR link:

Coolio says:

I ain't with that. No. I didn't give it any sanction. I think that my song was too serious. It ain't like it was "Beat It." "Beat It" was a party song. But I think "Gangsta's Paradise" represented something more than that. And I really, honestly and truly, don't appreciate him desecrating the song like that. I think he's wrong for that, because his record company asked for my permission, and I said no. But they did it anyway. I couldn't stop him. But you know, more power to him. I hope they sell a lot of records. Just stay away from me.

Weird Al ASKS because he's a good guy. He respects artists. But LEGALLY he doesn't have to. Again, parody is protected, as per the link I posted earlier.

Here's another one, specifically about Amish Paradise.

 

[Random_Spock]

However, parody is PROTECTED speech. if I did a parody of Star Wars, Lucas can't demand I take it down. Well, he can demand, but, I'm legally protected. He cannot stop me from making a parody.

Weird Al doesn't ACTUALLY need permission to do the parodies he does. (He does ask because he's a gentleman.)

Read up on on Parody as protected speech.

Edited to add: Parody and satire are different. Parody is protected, satire is not.

Yes he does. He got in trouble with Coolio back when he did a parody of his song, 'Gangsta's paradise' without his permission.

now it's all right though...

No. He DOESN'T. He doesn't NEED permission LEGALLY. As long as he shares any more made, Coolio couldn't STOP a parody, LEGALLY.

From YOUR link:

Coolio says:

I ain't with that. No. I didn't give it any sanction. I think that my song was too serious. It ain't like it was "Beat It." "Beat It" was a party song. But I think "Gangsta's Paradise" represented something more than that. And I really, honestly and truly, don't appreciate him desecrating the song like that. I think he's wrong for that, because his record company asked for my permission, and I said no. But they did it anyway. I couldn't stop him. But you know, more power to him. I hope they sell a lot of records. Just stay away from me.

Weird Al ASKS because he's a good guy. He respects artists. But LEGALLY he doesn't have to. Again, parody is protected, as per the link I posted earlier.

Here's another one, specifically about Amish Paradise.

Yes he does for the most part. Didn't know that he asked Coolio though, been thinking for years that he didn't. Thanks for clearing me up on that.

It's good to see that parody is considered protected speech. But for common, regular people... going to ask for permission to use something or to do a parody is good, but not so good if the company charges a butt load of money for regular person a to do so.

There are some out there that don't care if said person is rich or not -- all they're out there for is the money.

It would be nice if they set up a system that would have fair pricing for those who couldn't afford the exorbitant prices that they charge other wise.

 

[Professor Zoom]

Yes he does for the most part.

Seriously. He doesn't HAVE to. AT ALL. Think about it: when SNL does a sketch using Superman, do you think they asked for permission? It's a parody. They don't have to.

Didn't know that he asked Coolio though, been thinking for years that he didn't. Thanks for clearing me up on that.

He ALWAYS asks permission. Not because he has to, but, because he wants to. He's looking to get the blessing of the artist. Weird Al is a respectful guy.

It's good to see that parody is considered protected speech. But for common, regular people... going to ask for permission to use something or to do a parody is good, but not so good if the company charges a butt load of money for regular person a to do so.

I keep saying it: you don't HAVE TO ASK PERMISSION. I don't know what the royalty situation is for a Weird Al. But, if you wanted to make a parody of Superman, you could. NOW, things do get sticky, DC might not see it as parody and they might want to shut you down. That said: parody is protected speech, they would lose in a court hearing.

There are some out there that don't care if said person is rich or not -- all they're out there for is the money.

It would be nice if they set up a system that would have fair pricing for those who couldn't afford the exorbitant prices that they charge other wise.

There's a difference between parody and out right stealing someone else's things. Parody is making fun of the thing itself. A fanfilm is making use of someone else's IP. If you want to do that, you need to get permission, and you might have to pay, if you want to make money.

 

[Random_Spock]

There are some out there that don't care if said person is rich or not -- all they're out there for is the money.

It would be nice if they set up a system that would have fair pricing for those who couldn't afford the exorbitant prices that they charge other wise.

There's a difference between parody and out right stealing someone else's things. Parody is making fun of the thing itself. A fanfilm is making use of someone else's IP. If you want to do that, you need to get permission, and you might have to pay, if you want to make money.

Yep there is. And it's nice to be able to ask them and at times get permission. But as for the fees, like I said before, for most of us out there, they'd be way too high. No one, except for the very rich would be able to afford them.

Not that this kind of thing happens everywhere. But I'm aware enough to know that it does.

 

[Professor Zoom]

There are some out there that don't care if said person is rich or not -- all they're out there for is the money.

It would be nice if they set up a system that would have fair pricing for those who couldn't afford the exorbitant prices that they charge other wise.

There's a difference between parody and out right stealing someone else's things. Parody is making fun of the thing itself. A fanfilm is making use of someone else's IP. If you want to do that, you need to get permission, and you might have to pay, if you want to make money.

Yep there is. And it's nice to be able to ask them and at times get permission. But as for the fees, like I said before, for most of us out there, they'd be way too high. No one, except for the very rich would be able to afford them.

Weird Al doesn't pay a fee. He probably splits a royalty.

 

[Random_Spock]

There's a difference between parody and out right stealing someone else's things. Parody is making fun of the thing itself. A fanfilm is making use of someone else's IP. If you want to do that, you need to get permission, and you might have to pay, if you want to make money.

Yep there is. And it's nice to be able to ask them and at times get permission. But as for the fees, like I said before, for most of us out there, they'd be way too high. No one, except for the very rich would be able to afford them.

Weird Al doesn't pay a fee. He probably splits a royalty.

That's what I figure. What I was talking about was the general public. Those are the kind of people who can't afford to pay fees like the ones that artists do.

For example, I remember hearing about an music artist who had to pay a fee of around $1000 just to sample a song.

Now who in the general public, as in those who don't earn that kind of money, can afford to pay such a fee like that.

That's why I mentioned a fee system. So that those who are in the general public, could be able to ask to use something and then only have to pay a nominal fee instead of an out of the world one.

 

[Professor Zoom]

Yep there is. And it's nice to be able to ask them and at times get permission. But as for the fees, like I said before, for most of us out there, they'd be way too high. No one, except for the very rich would be able to afford them.

Weird Al doesn't pay a fee. He probably splits a royalty.

That's what I figure. What I was talking about was the general public. Those are the kind of people who can't afford to pay fees like the ones that artists do.

For example, I remember hearing about an music artist who had to pay a fee of around $1000 just to sample a song.

Sampling is different than parody. Sampling you are taking the song and just using it. Parody you are making fun of the thing.

So, Weird Al would have to pay to sample a copyrighted piece of music.

Now who in the general public, as in those who don't earn that kind of money, can afford to pay such a fee like that.

I don't know... this is a whole different subject that what I'm talking about. But, if you REALLY need to use that piece of music, then you find away to get the money. Kickstarter?

That's why I mentioned a fee system. So that those who are in the general public, could be able to ask to use something and then only have to pay a nominal fee instead of an out of the world one.

So... I make something, and then someone ELSE gets to set the price for how I get to sell it for? No thanks.

 

[Unicron]

Weird Al has also said, fairly consistently, that when he did "Amish Paradise" he was operating under the impression from one of Coolio's associates that he'd given his blessing for the parody. Coolio later disputed that after the song was released, and Al since then has always made sure that the blessings/permissions are 100% confirmed when he does a parody song. But Professor Zoom is right, he technically doesn't have to ask. He does anyway since he's cool.

 

[Professor Zoom]

Weird Al has also said, fairly consistently, that when he did "Amish Paradise" he was operating under the impression from one of Coolio's associates that he'd given his blessing for the parody. Coolio later disputed that after the song was released, and Al since then has always made sure that the blessings/permissions are 100% confirmed when he does a parody song. But Professor Zoom is right, he technically doesn't have to ask. He does anyway since he's cool.

I would even argue he's COOLIO....

 

[the G-man]

Al doesn't HAVE to ask, but it probably makes sense, rather than worry about a lawsuit. Even a frivolous lawsuit will tend to cost the target money under the U.S. system.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Al doesn't HAVE to ask, but it probably makes sense, rather than worry about a lawsuit. Even a frivolous lawsuit will tend to cost the target money under the U.S. system.

Yes. Nobody should ever assume that lawsuits are only "allowed" if they have merit. They can be used as an intimidation tactic to harass anyone, regardless of who is objectively right or wrong in a situation. Unless you have a big, fat bankroll, you need to be aware of the danger of lawsuits and that being right is not nearly as good a protection as being rich and able to afford your own phalanx of attack lawyers, too.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

Worried? No.