Which statement best describes the legality of parodies?

• A. Parodies are never protected by copyright
• B. Parodies require no compliance with copyright law
• C. Parodies are always fully original and can't borrow any material
• D. Parodies can be transformative and may use borrowed material for new meaning

Answer: (D)

Parodies are protected when they transform the original and add new meaning. A parody typically critiques or comments on the original, and in doing so it can rely on recognizable elements to achieve its point. Because of this transformative nature, borrowed material can be used if it serves the new commentary and the use passes the fair-use analysis (purpose and character of the use, the nature of the original, the amount used, and the effect on the market).

That’s why the statement describing parodies as potentially transformative and able to use borrowed material for new meaning best matches how copyright law treats parody. The other options don’t fit: parodies can be protected, they don’t require ignoring copyright law, and they can borrow material rather than being entirely original.