*MUSIC* When You With Upon a Star
*WORDS FROM VARIOUS CHARACTERS* What the heck is copyright?
What?
What the heck is copy, copy,
Go right! To the right!
Right! Right! Right!
It’s that law that’s the problem.
You know the law.
That stupid law!
What the heck is copyright?
I’ll tell you!
Copyright is a permanently fixed original work.
What?
A permanently fixed original work
in some form that can be seen or heard.
Hmmm...
Now listen, this is important.
Only the copyright owner has the right to use their work.
It’s mine! *LAUGHS MANICALLY*
How can that be?
That’s not fair!
It’s forbidden to use a copyright work
without permission granted by the copyright owner
and anybody who’s foolish enough to threaten our copyright
has broken the law.
Aren’t we forgetting one teensy weensy,
but ever so crucial little, tiny detail?
You'd better be able to pay for that copyright permission.
We haven’t discussed the subject of payment.
You can’t get something for nothing you know.
But I don’t have...
I’m not asking much.
Just a token, really. A trifle!
Hold on. Back up. Are you saying this is about money?
I’m sorry sir, I don’t have any money.
It’s extortion!
I prefer the term capitalist.
You hear that sound?
It’s the sound of your freedom fluttering out the window.
Well, there’s the usual things, like...
I'll borrow this one.
*VARIOUS MUSIC PLAYING*
On three. One... two...
No! No! No! No! Wait! Wait.
Listen carefully.
You can’t copyright an idea.
Yes I can.
- You can't. - Can!
Can’t! Can'! Can't!
But why?
In our culture it would be unwise to limit the power of a great idea.
So we can only copyright the form an idea takes.
But what does that have to do with anything?
No, no. He’s got a point.
The law says copyright only lasts for a fixed amount of time.
For example, copyright used to last just 14 years.
What?!
Copyright used to last only 14 years.
We know.
I know! You know. I know. I got it, I got the concept.
For culture that was long enough for a copyright owner
to make money from their work.
Oh!
After just 14 years the work fell into the public domain
so anyone could use the work.
Hey, what the heck is the public domain?
*AWKWARD SILENCE*
Anyone?
The public domain is a disgrace to the forces of evil.
What are you saying exactly?
A work in the public domain is free for anyone to use.
Can you do that?
Yes. It's essential because our culture created new ideas by building on earlier works.
So the public domain is necessary for a living, thriving society.
Unfortunately copyright keeps getting longer
and there seems to be no limitations on how long copyright lasts.
It’s called a cruel irony.
For example, copyright now lasts a lifetime plus 70 years
and for a company copyright lasts over a hundred years.
So copyright lasts more like forever.
Well, this is, uh, it's just, oh my.
Delbert, would you please explain how ridiculous this is?
It’s totally preposterous.
What the heck is fair use?
I’m sorry, do you mind running that by me again?
What the heck is fair use?
*AWKWARD SILENCE*
This might sound crazy but there are limitations on copyright.
*GASP* Is it possible?
Yes, copyright may be broken, but it's slippery.
You can borrow a small amount of copyright work to:
Gonna let you teach that guy a lesson.
To be believed, there has been a child security breach.
Direct from the lamp, right here for your very much wish fulfillment.
It is my professional opinion that now is the time...
But how will I know if it’s fair use?
There are certain rules that demonstrate fair use.
Okay, first of all it’s the nature of the work borrowed.
Second of all, it’s the amount you borrowed.
Oh, and there is one more thing.
It has to be something that doesn’t change the original work's value
in the marketplace.
Pay attention everyone. This is important.
It’s like I always say,
fair use is not a right.
But... but what is it?
Fair use is only a legal defensible position
and this is not fair!
Because this company is intimidating anybody who takes a copyright work.
If you're gonna threaten me, do it properly.
The point is if fair use actually works
then movies like this one will have legal protection.
And that concludes our broadcast day.
What was that?
I have no idea.
*MUSIC* Rose Leaf Rag
Woo hoo! I hope we get a copy of that tape.