What is parody?

• A. A license that allows free use of a work.
• B. A direct copying of an entire work for profit.
• C. A public domain transformation of a work.
• D. A copyrightable work that imitates/mimics the style/author of another work for the purpose of criticism or comment.

Answer: (D)

Parody is a form of creative critique that uses imitation to comment on the original. A parody is a copyrightable work that imitates or mimics the style or voice of another creator in order to critique or comment on that creator or work. That transformative purpose—using the imitation to make a point about the original—is what makes parody distinct and often protected as fair use in entertainment law.

The other descriptions don’t fit parody. A license is simply permission to use a work, not a stand-alone rhetorical strategy. Direct copying for profit isn’t parody at all; it’s infringement if done without authorization. Transforming a public-domain work might be transformative, but it isn’t necessarily a parody aimed at critiquing the original’s style or author. The essence of parody is the intentional imitation for commentary, which is captured by the described option.