The Blurred Lines Between Parody & Plagiarism

Last updated about 3 years ago
5 questions
Read the article from Plagiarism.org below. Answer the embedded questions (#1-3) as directed.
After finishing the article below, please read the interview with Weird Al and answer the questions (#4-5).
5

Click the link in paragraph 2 to review the U.S. copyright law. Do you think the part of the law that protects parody is fair? Explain your position on the matter.

2

A parody is a fun-spirited work that playfully pokes fun at a serious work with no intention of plagiarism.

3

If someone is not familiar with the source material of a parody, explain the disadvantage they have in that situation. Use an example of a parody you know in your answer.

5

Based on Weird Al's answer to this question, how well would you say he understands the part of the copyright law that covers parody? Discuss your thoughts using textual evidence from the interview.

5

Weird Al says that his work with parodies is intended to be an homage of the source material. Why do you think Prince never agreed to allowing Weird Al to parody his work? Explain your answer.