510 U.S. 569 (1994)
Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc.
Does a commercial parody qualify as fair use under the Copyright Act of 1976?
The fair use doctrine under 17 U.S.C. § 107 provides that the use of a copyrighted work, including such use in a parody, may not constitute infringement if certain factors are evaluated, including the purpose and character of the use (whether it is transformative), the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount and substantiality of the portion used, and the effect on the market for the original work.
The Supreme Court held that 2 Live Crew's commercial parody of 'Oh, Pretty Woman' could qualify as fair use, emphasizing the transformative nature of the work. The Court vacated the judgment of the Court of Appeals and remanded the case for further proceedings consistent with its opinion.
This case is significant because it expanded the understanding of the fair use doctrine, especially in the context of parodies. By focusing on the concept of 'transformativeness,' the Court provided a framework that emphasizes the addition of new expression or meaning as a critical factor in assessing fair use. This decision has empowered content creators to experiment and innovate with pre-existing works while ensuring protection from automatic claims of infringement. Particularly for law students, the case serves as an important study of how statutory interpretation can evolve through judicial decisions and how legal principles like fair use can adapt to cultural and technological changes.