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Most of Weird Al's songs aren't parodies in the legal sense. "Party in the CIA" is just "Party in the USA" with different Lyrics, it's not protected, just like
by dtech 6y ago
Most of Weird Al's songs aren't parodies in the legal sense.
"Party in the CIA" is just "Party in the USA" with different Lyrics, it's not protected, just like most covers aren't. "Smells like Nirvana" is, because it directly references and parodies how the singer in the song is barely understandable.
- Talanes 6y agoWhere would White and Nerdy place? It's not a direct comment on the original artist, but it is intentionally playing with a reversal of the stereotypes associated with the original piece.
- markmark 6y agoOnly a court can decide that. Parody is a defence in a copyright infringement case when it comes down to it, which is why Weird Al just gets permission instead. There's a lot of uncertainty on the edges. It's interesting to read about the trouble Penny Arcade had https://whatever.scalzi.com/2003/04/25/strawberry-shortcake-and-penny-arcade/ https://whatever.scalzi.com/2003/04/25/strawberry-shortcake-...