The “Downfall parodies” aren’t really parodies, in the legal sense. But as this one demonstrates, “Hitler” does seem to understand something about copyright, law, IP management and, of course, slaloming through alternative realities:
Never before has an historical figure, much less one of history’s most evil men yet one still regarded as some kind of transcendent figure, been so thoroughly, widely and ubiquitously mocked and cut down to a symbol of utter foolishness. And, as “he” points out in this clip, never has a “classic” but otherwise fairly obscure movie become so well known to millions of English speakers who probably otherwise wouldn’t even know which side Germany was on.
We wouldn’t expect Adolf Hitler to get either of these points. But a lot of other people who fuss around with free expression and creativity when IP rights, or “IP rights,” are involved really should.
UPDATE: Randazza thinks these are all fair use. I’m not so sure I agree — but this much I know: The one in this post is!
UPDATE AGAIN: Sturm und Drang.
Originally posted 2010-08-10 17:08:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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