Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site utastro.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!ut-sally!utastro!blake
From: blake@utastro.UUCP (R. Blake Farenthold)
Newsgroups: net.music,net.legal
Subject: Re: Song rights
Message-ID: <423@utastro.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 25-Jul-85 15:43:05 EDT
Article-I.D.: utastro.423
Posted: Thu Jul 25 15:43:05 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 27-Jul-85 00:36:37 EDT
References: <1196@sjuvax.UUCP>
Organization: U. Texas, Astronomy, Austin, TX
Lines: 30
Xref: linus net.music:7351 net.legal:1510

> 
>     I have just finished listening to a few songs by Weird Al Yankovick (sp??).
> One was 'I want a new duck' and the other was 'Like a surgeon'. Now I know
> that these songs resemble their popular counterparts in ever respect except
> the words. What are the legal barriors that entertainers/performers like
> these must overcome in order to use another performers song in a seemingly
> strange manner? 
> 
> 
> 					Wayne Lyle

I vaguely remember from my "music for radio and television" class that
coppyright law affords prople like Weird Al to PARODY a copyrighted
work. (I however will not be held liable for this advice) If you are
thinking about doing it (I know a lot of radio stations that co their
own versions of songs) I would consult an attorny who specializes in
copyright law.

Weird Al was probably vague about how he gets away with the songs
(if it is protected as a parody) because its awful easy to do one,
and ~rWeird Al's stuff isnt the best Ive heard, he was much better
back in 81.. (perhaps I just liked em cause they were dirtier)


-- 
Blake Farenthold      |    CIS: 70070,521   |  UUCP: {ut-sally,ut-ngp,noao}
P.O. Box 3027         | Source: TCX023      |        !utastro!blake
Austin, TX 78764-3027 | Delphi: blake       |  ARPA: blake@utastro.UTEXAS.
BBS: 512-442-1116     |    MCI: BFARENTHOLD |        ARPA
     (1200/300)       |  Telex: 910333978   |   ESL: 62806548