Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site unc.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!akgua!mcnc!unc!bch From: bch@unc.UUCP (Byron Howes ) Newsgroups: net.followup Subject: re: Copyright Violations Message-ID: <6934@unc.UUCP> Date: Sat, 17-Mar-84 22:50:37 EST Article-I.D.: unc.6934 Posted: Sat Mar 17 22:50:37 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 18-Mar-84 08:34:51 EST References: <6284@decwrl.UUCP> Organization: University of North Carolina Comp. Center Lines: 19 I scarcely think that posting the lyrics to a song to the network -- a medium with thousands of readers -- can be justified as "fair use." In the partic- ular case of Weird Al's "Eat it," it is *precisely* the lyrics that must be protected. They are the only valuable part of the satire. I expect, had anyone bothered to check, that you would find the copyright laws protect the lyrics from distribution (not just sale) in any form through any medium. Playing a song at a music party does qualify as fair use in that you are (1) not performing the song for profit and (2) not distributing the work in any tangible form. While I suspect intent may be used as a mollifying influence once a case has been brought to court, it do not think one's intent has anything to do with the fact that a crime has been committed. (gee ossifer, I only stole that food so I could give it to the poor...) -- "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!" Byron Howes UNC - Chapel Hill ({decvax,akgua}!mcnc!unc!bch)