Reference no: EM131467570

Do you think it should be legal for artists to borrow and "remix" visual material owned by others? In the 1960s, Campbell Soup actually encouraged Warhol to make artwork about their product. Apparently they even sent him free soup.

Things have changed now, though. Artists have been sent "cease and desist" letters for infringing on intellectual property rights. Here is some food for thought:

1) An old art professor of mine tried to copyright a simple black dot. She was trying to make a point that intellectual property law needs to be reformed. Well, it worked. She was threatened by a firm that claims to have already copyrighted a black dot. She used to show the letter and other information as an installation work.

2) The idea of a "crustless" peanut butter and jelly sandwich is considered private property in the US. How can this be??

3) Electronic and rap artists have been sued for "remixing" other artist's works.

You can go on and on with examples. You likely know some.

Do you think the use of visual logos and imagery for artwork, at least, should be considered "fair use" under property law? What do you think?