Music Copyright
 

Is it okay to do a parody of a song?

Re: Music Copyright
 

This late in the game if you have to question it I wouldn't recommend doing it. Too much risk involved for the amount of work put in. Better safe than sorry (you can use it in the credits).

Re: Music Copyright
 

The U.S. Supreme Court said in Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music: "For the purposes of copyright law, the nub of the definitions, and the heart of any parodist's claim to quote from existing material, is the use of some elements of a prior author's composition to create a new one that, at least in part, comments on that author's works." In other words, it's a parody if you're commenting on the original. If that's what you're doing, it's legal under copyright fair use.

Is this a good idea? Probably not. What would you be parodying, and how would you do so in a way that makes for an effective Chairman's submission/presentation? Will it effectively describe how your team is worth of consideration for the award?

Is the real issue that you want to set your lyrics to someone else's song? That's just a derivative—and for that you likely need permission from the copyright holder.

Re: Music Copyright
 

We were planning on setting our lyrics to someone else's song. As of yesterday, we changed this idea and have an original song in the works.

Re: Music Copyright
 

What does this have to do with the Chairman's Award?

Re: Music Copyright
 

Background music for the RCA video submission. At least, that's what I figure it is.

Re: Music Copyright
 

Curious grey area. As Tristian Lall pointed out, you wouldn't really be creating a "parody" per se, but given the nature of the work and it's purpose, it might still fall under Fair Use.

Moot point now I suppose.