Parody of Audio-Visual Works

KOUKAL, Pavel and Michal JEŽEK. Parody of Audio-Visual Works. GRUR International. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2024, vol. 73, No 2, p. 172-179. ISSN 2632-8623. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/grurint/ikad143.

Basic information

• Original name: Parody of Audio-Visual Works
• Name in Czech: Parodie audiovizuálních děl
• Authors: KOUKAL, Pavel (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution) and Michal JEŽEK (203 Czech Republic, belonging to the institution).
• Edition: GRUR International, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2024, 2632-8623.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal (not reviewed)
• Field of Study: 50501 Law
• Country of publisher: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• WWW: URL
• Organization unit: Faculty of Law
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/grurint/ikad143
• Keywords (in Czech): parodie; audiovizuální díla; autorské právo; svoboda projevu; Česká republika
• Keywords in English: parody; audio-visual work; copyright; freedom of expression; Czech Republic
• Tags: International impact, Reviewed

Abstract

This case note discusses a significant decision by the Supreme Court of the Czech Republic in the case of ČEZ v. Greenpeace Česká Republika, which dealt with the limits of parody within copyright law. The dispute arose from Greenpeace's modification of an advertising video by ČEZ, a major energy company, to highlight environmental concerns. ČEZ claimed that this modification infringed their copyright. The courts analyzed Sec. 38g of the Copyright Act, focusing on whether a work modified for parody could claim exception from copyright infringement. This case clarifies the legal landscape for parody under Czech copyright law and highlights the balance between copyright protections and freedom of expression. The decision emphasizes that achieving a humorous effect or mocking intent is not necessary for a work to be considered a parody. Instead, it focuses on the creator's artistic intent and the modified work's ability to convey a contrasting message to the original.