Legal question about the Rickroll

[mfahrnholz]

Sorry if this has been mentioned elsewhere but...

When people were asked to write libary books they were asked to stay clear of copyrighted material.

Does this mean a clearance had to be made for the reprinting of the lyrics to Never Gonna Give You Up? which is in the book by Ron Gilbert (which probably means he came up with that gag).

[reboog711]

Probably, but it could be argued that this is fair use [at least in the US]. Most likely only a court could decide that if they get sued which I assume they wouldn't want to.

If not licensed, and they start getting angry lawyer letters, they will most likely settle as that will be cheaper than a lawsuit.

[mfahrnholz]

As far as I know fair use only comes in if the material is commented on, edited or in any other way altered or parodied, neither of which is the case. I´m sure they thought of something, but I also can´t quite exclude the possibility this was just a shot in the dark. Considering the little money they have I´m sure though they didn´t take any unnecessary risks with this, so it probably is cleared in some way or other.

[reboog711]

The fact that you classified it as a RickRoll makes me think; you think it is a parody...

But, I am not a lawyer w/ an expertise in US Copyright law.

[mfahrnholz]

Me neither, but if you say it like that...that could very well be it

[Someone]

Its more likely at the border far enough to be a very obviously reference but not close enough for a copyright strike