“Speaking of copyright,” a photographer wrote me, “This is so funny. If they haven’t taken it down yet, it’s a must see.” Indeed!

I hope you can see this because it’s beyond funny. Nothing like a crazed Hitler delivering witty commentary on copyright issues, faults of the Google/YouTube empire (”Aren’t they supposed to be all, ‘Don’t be Evil’?”) and pointing out that what might look like copyright infringement might not be or, maybe more to the point, might — when done respectfully — be the best form of promotion benefiting the infringed entity in question. (As Hitler points out, “The movie got international attention because of YouTube users’ hard work.”)

Thanks to Zacqary Adam Green (a.k.a. Plankhead) for his hard work on this one, and for making Hitler, in this scene from “Downfall”, come across as both hilarious and insightful. (Not easy.)

For more info of the viral video parodies made from “Downfall,” see this Wiki entry. (”The film’s director, Oliver Hirschbiegel, spoke positively about these parodies,” but the production company, Constantin Film, “has asked video sites to remove many of them.”)

In case YouTube/Google has zapped the above video (”I mean, they pulled out of China for shit like this.”), keep reading this post to see some key screen shots.

Continue reading “Hitler on Fair Use and Parody in Copyright Law”

Tags: Constantin Film, Copyright, Copyright Law, Downfall, Humor, Oliver Hirschbiegel, On YouTube, Plankhead, Zacqary Adam Green