Re-using copyrighted code

[Mark Janssen]

> Weird Al can be a complex case, because sometimes his songs are true parodies, and sometimes they're more satires.  Parody has a pretty firm history of being protected under fair use, and Weird Al's MJ-inspired songs ("Fat" and "Eat It") are clearly parodies.  (As is his more recent Lady Gaga sendup "Perform This Way", while his Star wars saga "The Story Begins" and Coolio-esque "Amish Paradise" are more like satires).
>
> So in the case of Weird Al's Michael Jackson parodies, he would be protected under law if MJ had decided to sue.

Not entirely.  The use of the musical tune is not a parody, only the
lyrics.  But if, like you say, he did get permission, then he is safe.

But you bring up a point of *criticism* which is distinct from re-use.
-- 
MarkJ
Tacoma, Washington