Legal Question in Intellectual Property in Missouri

Hello, I have a question about fair use laws. I have a project in mind to set the poems and songs from J.R.R. Tolkien's works to music, as a purely not-for-profit and educational endeavor, and possibly used to fund charitable works (e.g., writing and music workshops for disadvantaged kids.) To begin with I plan to fund the project entirely with a Kickstarter campaign. The Tolkien estate is adamant that the commercial rights to the song lyrics are NOT available. So, would my project fall under fair use?


Asked on 9/14/13, 11:10 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Bruce Burdick Burdick Law Firm

That sounds like commercial use, not fair use. "Used to fund" and "not for profit" are inconsistent. You appear to be another of many Kickstarter campaigns that want people to fund infringement.

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Answered on 9/14/13, 2:44 pm


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