Tonight we’re gonna party like it’s copyright infringement time.
Tell me who in this house heard about this suit. I mean, really. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is suing (.pdf) Prince’s music label for wanting to yank a video off YouTube of a toddler dancing to one of his purple majesty’s famous songs. No not “Sexy MF,” but that would probably be hilarious. It was “Let's Go Crazy.”
Universal Music claimed that the video infringed on its copyrights, but the EFF says that it’s fair use on the part of the uploader and plaintiff, Stephanie Lenz, mother of 18-month-old Holden (who, with that name and this case, should be well on his way to sullen resentment of authority).
In a press release, EFF Staff Attorney Corynne McSherry said, "Universal's takedown notice doesn't even pass the laugh test." She did not say it’s the kind you’d buy in a second-hand store, but you know she wanted to. "Copyright holders should be held accountable when they undermine non-infringing, fair uses like this video."
On Friday, EFF will try to prevent San Jose federal judge Jeremy Fogel from dismissing the case for a second time. We’ll keep you posted. U got the look at his first dismissal here (it’s hecka slammin’).
And let’s check in with YouTube users on this controversy over Prince’s label wanting his songs taken down forever (and that’s a mighty long time). Does this plaintiff plaintive cry (no doves were injured in the making of that cry) for the “artist” to let YouTube videophiles to use his music sum it up? Or how about the flotilla of videos of amateurs covering Prince songs where the sound has been removed? Or what about “Well you can burn in hell you purple midget”? (We just can't believe all the things people say). Someone with a degree in public relations (if not musicology) should pay attention to these signs o’ the times.
— Zusha Elinson
*The toddler is the tall one. (Couldn't resist.)
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