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Songwriting, parody or plagiarism?
Have you ever heard a secular song that stood out as something for possible use in church? Change a few words to a love song, for example, and it may work in our setting. However, would that be a copyright violation?
I know that you cannot copyright a song title or a chord progression but what about a change in original lyrics?
Years ago, Roy Orbison lost a lawsuit against a rap artist for using the lyrics to “Pretty Woman”. The court ruled the song was meant as a parody, not a an obvious rip-off. Even Weird Al changes lyrics to popular songs for the humor effect.
I ask because I am rewriting the lyric to a catchy secular tune but do not know if I can record or sell it.
What are your thoughts on this?
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