BU Research Blog

If somebody creates a parody or spoof based on a popular original work, does the spoof infringe the copyright of the original artist?

These videos explain the current status of expressions such as parody under UK copyright law.  Parodies use elements of an original work to create a new, humorous or critical expression.  Some countries, such as the USA, Australia and France, already allow the creation of parody without the need to obtain permission from the original copyright owner.

Currently, the UK government is considering making some changes to the existing Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (CDPA 1988). These videos explore those proposals and the arguments on both sides of the debate.

In 2011, the government initiated an independent review of intellectual property, carried out by Professor Ian Hargreaves: http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/hargreaves.htm
The report recommended adding an exception to copyright for the purposes of parody, which would allow users to create and share parodies without infringing copyright in certain circumstances.

A Bournemouth University report on the proposed copyright exception for Parody, authored by Dr Kris Erickson, Dr Dinusha Mendis, and Professor Martin Kretschmer, will be available in September 2012:
http://www.cippm.org.uk/publications.html

It is hoped that these videos will be helpful to all users of copyright:  teachers, librarians, artists, producers, journalists and members of the public.

The videos were created by research assistant Bartolomeo Meletti, with support from the Department of Law at Bournemouth University. 

Animation and editing by Marco Bagni – http://www.lostconversation.com
Filming, voice over and animation sound design by Nathan Revill @ Creative http://www.dorsetcreative.co.uk
Illustration by Danilo Rečević – http://www.danilor.it/
Music: Progressive — IB Audio
Interviewee: Dr Kris Erickson
Contributors: Professor Martin Kretschmer; Dr Kris Erickson; Dr Dinusha Mendis; Professor Ruth Towse.