On Fri, 24 Apr 1998, Ranma Al'Thor wrote:

On Thu, 23 Apr 1998, Lathrop L Preston wrote:

On the subject of a work being MSTd there is really nothing you can do
about it. Most copywright (sp?) laws include a clause that allows quoting
and other use of material for critical review and or parody. A MSTy is a
parody of your work. So there is realy nothing you can do other than ask
the author to desist, and he/she does not _have_ to comply.

Urgle.  I didn't think of that ^^;;;

However, I think an MST, which actually incorporates the text, doesn't
fall under the parody clause, since you're not doing an original work
which makes fun of another thing (Like the first season Saturday Night
Live Star Trek skit), but rather using the original as part of your work.
Mystery Science Theatre largely restricted itself to shows which the
copyright had expired on without being renewed, or got permission to use
the film.

IT's the same with restrictions on how much you can quote from another
text in order to provide commentary on it.  (Well, not exactly the same.
That falls under other aspects of Fair Use).  

There is also the point that the show MST3K does exactly what an MST does
thats why they are called that.


Lathrop L Preston                     LP0027@DRAKE.EDU
Drake Anime Club Librarian            ANIME@ACAD.DRAKE.EDU
Assitant On-Line Editor for the Times Delphic
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