Mass Effect Meets Second Life (and Fair Use Parody)

I love this Mass Effect-in-SL cosplay parody which Iris slipped into the middle of her much-discussed post defending the right of people to engage in virtual cosplay of Mass Effect and other games, no matter the potential (and arguable) copyright infringement. This picture is a perfect example of that, since from my point of view, it probably falls quite cleanly into the parody application of the fair use doctrine. (Then again, it may qualify as satire, which has had less protection from the courts.) I'm planning to write more about this when I'm back from SXSW, but meantime, you should read the fascinating discussion Iris' post provoked here. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get ready for tonight's EFF-Austin Party at SXSW, where the drink tab is hopefully fair use too.

Comments

[Kim]

Oh, now, come on! That content has neither the humor associated with parody nor the social commentary that is a hallmark of satire. This defense wouldn't pass a dictionary check, let alone a legal challenge. Come off it!

[Hamlet Au]

Shrug, I personally think it's funny, and if I had to, I'd make the case to a judge that it was a parody of the Mass Effect "save the world again" storylines and the sometimes arbitrary and weird choices the game presents players with. Along with being a satire of SL.

[Tateru Nino]

I think it's funny too, but that's not really a factor.