Edward Lee, Fair Use Avoidance in Music Cases, 59:6 B.C. L. REV. (2018)
Table 1. Uses of Works Categorized by Transformative Content and Purpose
Type of use Transformative Transformative Example content purpose 1 Yes Yes Campbell v. Acuff-Rose 2 Yes No Cariou v. Prince 3 No Yes Google Book Search 4 No No No fair use
Table 2. Examples of Apparent Borrowing in Popular Musical Works
Borrowing Song From Prior Song The Beach Boys, “Surfin’ U.S.A.” (1963) Chuck Berry, “Sweet Little Sixteen” (1958) The Doors, “Hello, I Love You” (1968) The Kinks, “All Day and All of the Night” (1964) Led Zeppelin, “Whole Lotta Love” (1969) Willie Dixon (performed by Muddy Waters), “You Need Love” (1962) Led Zeppelin, “Bring It On Home” (1969) Willie Dixon (performed by Sonny Boy Williamson), “Bring It On Home” (1966) George Harrison, “My Sweet Lord” (1970) Ronald Mack (performed by the Chiffons), “He’s So Fine” (1962) Ray Parker, “Ghostbusters” (1984) Huey Lewis and the News, “I Want a New Drug” (1984) Metallica, “Master of Puppets” (1986) David Bowie, “Andy Warhol” (1971) Ice-T, “6 ‘N the Mornin’” (1986) Schoolly D, “P.S.K. What Does it Mean” (1985) Nirvana, “Come as You Are” (1991) Killing Joke, “Eighties” (1985) Green Day, “Warning” (2000) and Other The Kinks, “Picture Book” (1968) Garden, “Never Got the Chance” (1992) Coldplay, “Shiver” (2000) Jeff Buckley, “So Real” (1994) The Strokes, “Last Nite” (2001) Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “American Girl” (1977) Coldplay, “God Put A Smile Upon Your Radiohead, “2+2=5” (2003) Face” (2002) Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Dani California” Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, “Mary (2006) Jane’s Last Dance” (1993) Coldplay, “Vida La Vida” (2008) Joe Satriani, “If I Could Fly” (2004) Lady Gaga, “Born This Way” (2011) Madonna, “Express Yourself” (1989) Pharrell, Robin Thicke, “Blurred Lines” Marvin Gaye, “Gotta Give It Up” (1977) (2014) Green Day, “Warning” (2000) and Other The Kinks, “Picture Book” (1968) Garden, “Never Got the Chance” (1992) David Banner, “Elvis” (2017) Lil Wayne, “A Milli” (2008)
Figure 1. Results of Musical Work Cases
Figure 2. Reasons Courts Ruled in Favor of Defendants in Music Cases