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Using copyrighted content in parody:
Parodies are comedic imitations of someone else's work, usually paying respect to them. According to law.com parody is "the humorous use of an existing song, play, or writing which changes the words to give farcical and ironic meaning." Law.com says that court decisions have favored parodies and that "there is a free speech issue involved in these decisions since parodies traditionally have social and political significance."
Parody has long been a viable part of entertainment. It allows for comment, criticism, and humor of an existing work. Comedy sketches poking fun at an existing TV show or a popular song have proved to be important forms of art. Special laws have been upheld to allow artists to freely perform parody to it’s fullest to avoid copyright issues.
For a further examination of the misunderstood purposes of copyright law, please visit the excellent article by Lydia Pallas Loren: 'The Purpose of Copyright'
When producing parodies it is acceptable under US law to use bits of the original creations to enhance the comedic nature of the new creation. This includes music and other identifying elements. It does not violate copyright law, as long as it doesn't damage or harm the reputation of the original or try to pose as the original.
Fair use doctrine:
Under the "fair use doctrine" it is acceptable according to the US Supreme Court of 1994 in Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc. In this case the court states "Parody, like other comment and criticism, may claim fair use."
An artist has full rights to use reasonable care in producing parody. If clips of the original are used for any other purpose than parody of the show being jested, then it becomes illegal. Under common law, the fair use doctrine, and the decisions of the Supreme Court, use of copyrighted material in parody is necessary, acceptable, and legal.
Producers or creators of parodies of copyrighted workd have been sued for infringement by the targets of their ridicule, even though such use may be protected as fair use. These fair use cases distinguish between parodies, which use a work in order to poke fun at or comment on the work itself and satire, which use a work to poke fun at or comment on something else. Courts have been more willing to grant fair use protections to parodies.
My DSA Toy Projects are done for jest and parody only, with only the HIGHEST respect for the original creators of said prior creative work and/or ideas. They're just jokes, and only meant to be so. If I make fun of anything, it's because I love it, and just want to have some fun. And I sincerly hope that any content created here brings the original creators prosperity in said creations, films, artwork, Etc; or any other intellectual property. If anyone has any problems whatsoever with my Toy creations, please feel beyond free to contact me. I firmly promise I'm only joking, and truly wish NO harm to anyone, or their I.P. .
Legal stuff over:
I would like to ask that if any member or visitor here that has any thoughts, comments, or ideas for future work, please place them in the comments section of the "DSA Toy Theater" thread. Any comments posted here will either be removed, deleted, or moved to the thread posted above. Please know that I'm not being mean or hateful, I just want to keep this thread "clean" for everyone's viewing pleasure of the content being produced. I truly love you DSA guys and girls, and I truly thank the vistors to this site for coming here. If it wasn't for RaTix, none of us would even be here in the first place. Don't blame him for the stupid crap I make, it's not his fault. ;)
I personally want to thank Clanmate DSA Boss for his awesome DSA Toy Theater logo created just for these toy projects. This is going to take a few weeks to get up and running. It's taken me many years of hard work and money out of my own pocket to make, and I hope you enjoy them just as much as I've enjoyed making them for you. They're coming soon. Thank you all, and God bless.....
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