Professor's Copyright Video Creates Buzz

If you haven't seen it yet, take a look at "A Fair(y) Use Tale," one of the most popular videos on YouTube this week--and one that's been generating much online discussion about copyright law. This creative and entertaining 10-minute production by Eric Faden, a Bucknell University assistant professor of English and film studies, and some of his students, uses visual and dialogue cuts from many Disney films to teach some basics of copyright law while poking fun at the extent of its protections for copyright owners. The Chronicle of Higher Education's technology blog noted that Faden, concerned about the possibility of being sued for infringement, "has retained Stanford University law professors." (The Chronicle: Wired Campus Blog, May 22, 2007). In the meantime, the video has been attracting praise as a teaching tool and a spur to public debate. But is it fair use? That poses an interesting question for law students to weigh in on.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat