Re: Political Fair Use

From: Jayne Sebby <jsebby[_at_]unlinfo.unl.edu>
Date: Wed, 23 Oct 96 10:57:54 CDT

> Charles Keller wrote:

>>
>> Another "similar" incident involved Bob Dole's people playing "Born
>> in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen as part of his campaign tour. Bruce
>> was not happy about the *implication* that he was a supporter. Mr.
>> Springsteen wrote Dole that the music was "appropriated" and "used
>> w/o permission".
>>
>> No mention was made whether Dole had paid ASCAP or whatever fees or
>> whether his campaign workers assumed fair use. I assume the grounds
>> of Springsteen's complaint was one of those U.S. laws analogous to
>> the moral rights laws of europe/france?

Mark Lemley writes:

>  
> On the other hand, the Dole campaign is off to an early lead in the 
> number of intellectual property violations.  First, they adapted Sam & 
> Dave's song "I'm a Soul Man" to "I'm a Dole Man", then stopped after 
> the copyright owner complained.  Then they came up with a new and 
> original campaign slogan: "Just Don't Do It," annoying the Nike folks 
> no end (and raising some interesting trademark parody issues).

Raises some interesting questions about Dole's stance on getting tough on criminals! I have been wondering about the parody claims, though I think this is outright theft.

Jayne Sebby
jsebby[_at_]unlinfo.unl.edu Received on Wed Oct 23 1996 - 16:00:56 GMT