The "can't" is likely more for worry of the inevitable expensive court case than the actual chance the judge will find there was infringement. Consider "The Wi

The "can't" is likely more for worry of the inevitable expensive court case than the actual chance the judge will find there was infringement. Consider "The Wind Done Gone", a parody of "Gone with the Wind". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suntrust_Bank_v._Houghton_Mifflin_Co https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suntrust_Bank_v._Houghton_Miff.... > The Court of Appeals recognized copyright in several characters from Gone with the Wind and found that The Wind Done Gone had "appropriate[d] numerous characters, settings, and plot twists". However, the court decided that this appropriation was protected under the doctrine of fair use. > ... Mitchell's estate chose to drop the suit after publisher Houghton agreed to make a donation to Morehouse College.