Top all-time · #11572
Weird Al Yankovic
Personal blog · alyankovic.wordpress.comculture
Weird Al Yankovic writes AL'S BLOG, a personal blog at alyankovic.wordpress.com about culture. Since 2011, 7 different Hacker News readers have linked it 7 times. The last post was in 2013, but the archive is still widely read.
Too few sampled comments (7) to say how often HN recommends it.?
Why HN links it
Weird Al Yankovic's blog posts on his parody permission policy and the 2011 Lady Gaga parody dispute. HN commenters cite them as the source for his fair-use and permission practice.
Summarised by Claude from a sample of 7 HN comments that link here. Each comment is marked recommending, critical or neutral (citing without judging); how this works.
The web log of "Weird Al" Yankovic
Most-linked posts?
- /2011/04/20/gaga-update/4 people · 4 mentions · first linked 2011-04-20
- /the-gaga-saga/2 people · 2 mentions · first linked 2011-04-20
What Hacker News says?
Though Weird Al could rely on fair use. In his own words [0]: "My parodies have always fallen under what the courts call “fair use,” and this one was no different, legally allowing me to record and release it without permission. But it has always been my personal policy to get the consent of the original artist before including my parodies on any album..." [0] http://alyankovic.wordpress.com/the-gaga-saga/
Comment linking /the-gaga-saga/
on “'Dumb Starbucks' mystery: Who's behind the faux coffee front in Los Feliz?”> (see: Weird Al's album sales) Unfortunately, that's a bad example, since Weird Al always gets permission from the original artists/songwriters/composers as may be the case. For example, he scrapped parodies based on Lady Gaga's songs because she (or the record company?) denied his use, although it's available online (non-commercial distribution): https://alyankovic.wordpress.com/the-gaga-saga/ . Will he pass the f…
Comment linking /the-gaga-saga/
on “The case litigating Andy Warhol’s use of a photograph of Prince”It turns out Lady Gaga never objected; the manager who handled the request for her simply rejected it without telling her (after giving Al the runaround, too.) Once she heard about it, she gave Al permission to publish. "Apparently the fact that she didn’t approve it was news to Lady Gaga herself!" ... "Gaga loves the song." http://alyankovic.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/gaga-update/
Comment linking /2011/04/20/gaga-update/
on “Weird Al sends up Lady Gaga - over her objection”Explanation of what is going on here: http://alyankovic.wordpress.com/the-gaga-saga/ Parody is a protected form of free speech, why does he ask permission? If he is going to complain about someone not giving him permission, he should just go ahead and do it. Update: after reading my own link, I have the answer to my own question.
Comment linking /the-gaga-saga/
on “Weird Al sends up Lady Gaga - over her objection”Update: I think I called it: http://alyankovic.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/gaga-update/ I'm not buying the "the manager didn't pass it on" line - that's politics. Either way, Gaga now looks good, the video has 10 honors on YouTube, much discussion took place which helped both artists out.. everyone's happy.
Comment linking /2011/04/20/gaga-update/
on “What about Fair Use? The Gaga Saga”From his Youtube page: "UPDATE: Lady Gaga has approved the parody!!! Album release information coming soon!" Apparently, the manager was making decsions without actually consulting her. Typical PHB from my experience. I'd fire the guy. http://alyankovic.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/gaga-update/ Edit: link
Comment linking /2011/04/20/gaga-update/
on “What about Fair Use? The Gaga Saga”An update has just been posted saying that Lady Gaga loves it, it was her manager who made the decision without consulting with her: http://alyankovic.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/gaga-update/
Comment linking /2011/04/20/gaga-update/
on “What about Fair Use? The Gaga Saga”
