If Weird Al Wants to Take "Blue Bayou," a Song

question 92

Multiple Choice

If Weird Al wants to take "Blue Bayou," a song composed by Roy Orbison, and replace only Orbison's lyrics and publish it under "Blue by You," a song about domestic violence, which of the following is true? Assume that all are Canadian citizens governed by Canadian law. Read each separately.

• A) Orbison's legal representative could not sue because Roy Orbison died and thus so did his copyright.
• B) Orbison's legal representative could not sue if Weird Al's lyrics were different, because the song would take on a whole new meaning.
• C) If, before his death, Orbison has signed a license agreement with Weird Al allowing him to use the music, there could be no lawsuit against Weird Al no matter how offensive the lyrics turned out to be.
• D) Weird Al could get protection for his original lyrics even if his lyrics were unpublished.
• E) Weird Al could get no protection for his original lyrics unless he sent a copy of his lyrics to the Copyright Office along with his application for copyright.

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Definitions:

Court Proceedings

The process of adjudicating legal disputes and administering justice through formal sessions in a court of law.

Voir Dire

Voir dire is a legal process in which attorneys question prospective jurors to determine any biases or inability to serve impartially in a jury.

Objection

A legal term referring to a statement by an attorney during a trial, disagreeing with a method or evidence presented by the opposition.

In Limine

A legal term referring to a procedural motion made to the court, typically before a trial begins, to request that certain evidence be deemed inadmissible or not shown to the jury.