UK copyright reform needs your parody/copyright tales of woe!

Peter from the UK Open Rights Group sez,

The Hargreaves Review of IP and Growth, published in May, called for the UK Government to put more 'exceptions' to copyright into law. These would allow people to do more socially or economically useful things with copyrighted material without needing permission. One of those exceptions is for 'parody', which would allow people to satirise copyrighted works. These exceptions are all incredibly important in helping modernise copyright law for the digital age.

Whilst the government has indicated it welcomes the review's findings, it is an independent review. So there is a big challenge to explain to policy makers that there is a clear need for a new parody exception, and that parody is a legitimate follow-on use of a work. So we are looking for as many clear examples of where a parody exception would help – whether it is work that has been taken down, prohibited or stifled due to a lack of such an exception. We're also looking for testimony from creators who see the value in the certainty of an exception, or who have experienced problems with the lack of one.

Do you know about parodies that have been stifled because of fear of litigation? Respond in the comments and help change UK copyright law!