Gavin Howe
2 Live Crew have had a number of run-ins with the law over the years, including a lawsuit from George Lucas over the naming of their record label, Skyywalker Records, and a copyright infringement case over their parody of Roy Orbison's 'Oh, Pretty Woman'. The group were also arrested for performing songs from their album *As Nasty As They Wanna Be* in a Hollywood nightclub, and record store owners and employees were arrested for selling the album.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Copyright law | 2 Live Crew won a trial to take back control of its music catalog |
| Copyright infringement | The copyright owners of Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman" brought a lawsuit in 1990, claiming that 2 Live Crew's parody of the song infringed on their copyright. |
| Obscenity | 2 Live Crew was arrested for performing songs from their album "As Nasty As They Wanna Be" at a nightclub in Hollywood, Florida. The local sheriff, Nick Navarro, started arresting record store owners and employees for selling the album. |
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What You'll Learn
Copyright law
2 Live Crew were accused of breaking copyright law. Copyright law is a form of intellectual property law that protects original works of authorship, such as music, literature, and art. It gives the creator of a work the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and adapt their work for a limited period of time. This means that only the copyright owner can authorise others to use their work, and anyone who uses it without permission may be liable for copyright infringement.
In the case of 2 Live Crew, they were sued by the copyright owners of Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman" for parodying the song on their album *As Clean as They Wanna Be*. The case went all the way to the United States Supreme Court, which ruled that the 2 Live Crew's parody was fair use and did not infringe on the copyright owner's rights.
Another example of 2 Live Crew's legal battles involves their lead singer, Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell, who was sued by George Lucas over the naming of his record label, Skyywalker Records. Campbell eventually paid $1 million and changed the company's name to Luke Records.
These cases highlight the importance of copyright law in protecting the rights of creators and ensuring that they receive proper credit and compensation for their work. They also demonstrate how copyright law can be used to defend against unfair or inappropriate use of copyrighted material, such as in the case of parody or satire.
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Obscenity ruling
In 1992, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit overturned an obscenity ruling from Judge Gonzalez, which had deemed 2 Live Crew's album *As Nasty As They Wanna Be* obscene. The Supreme Court of the United States refused to hear Broward County's appeal. The album was the first to be deemed legally obscene, and the local sheriff, Nick Navarro, started arresting record store owners and employees for selling it. Members of 2 Live Crew were also arrested for performing songs from the album at a nightclub in Hollywood, Florida. The MCs were later acquitted.
The rap group 2 Live Crew set a legal precedent for hip-hop artists to be able to create in the way that they choose to. The court ruled that the group's album was not obscene.
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Record label naming
2 Live Crew have been involved in a number of legal battles over the years, including a lawsuit brought by George Lucas over the naming of their record label, Skyywalker Records. The group's lead, Luther 'Uncle Luke' Campbell, eventually paid $1 million and changed the company's name to Luke Records.
When it comes to record label naming, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to be aware of any potential trademark or copyright issues. In the case of 2 Live Crew, the similarity between 'Skyywalker' and 'Skywalker' (the name of George Lucas's company) led to a legal dispute. To avoid such issues, it's advisable to conduct thorough research before settling on a name, ensuring that it doesn't infringe on any existing trademarks or copyrights.
Another consideration is the potential for controversy or negative associations. While a provocative name may generate attention, it could also lead to backlash or legal issues, particularly if the name is deemed offensive or inappropriate. In the case of 2 Live Crew, their album *As Nasty As They Wanna Be* was deemed obscene by a local sheriff, who started arresting record store owners and employees for selling the album. The group was also arrested for performing songs from the album at a nightclub. While they were later acquitted, it demonstrates how controversial content can lead to legal repercussions.
When choosing a record label name, it's also worth thinking about the long-term implications. A name that is too trendy or tied to a specific time period may become dated or lose relevance over time. Opting for a more timeless name can help ensure the label's longevity and avoid the need for a rebrand further down the line.
Finally, it's important to consider the target audience and the image the label wants to project. A name that is too provocative or edgy may alienate potential fans or send the wrong message about the label's values and ethos. Finding a balance between creativity and accessibility is key.
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Criminal contempt conviction
2 Live Crew have faced a number of legal battles over the years. Most notably, the rap group were arrested for performing songs from their album *As Nasty As They Wanna Be* at a nightclub in Hollywood, Florida. The local sheriff, Nick Navarro, started arresting record store owners and employees for selling the album, which was deemed obscene. The MCs were later acquitted, and the court ruled that the album was not obscene, setting a legal precedent for hip-hop artists to create as they choose.
The group also faced a lawsuit in 1990 for copyright infringement, after parodying Roy Orbison's 'Oh, Pretty Woman' on their album *As Clean as They Wanna Be*. In 1994, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the parody was fair use and did not infringe on copyright.
In addition, 2 Live Crew's lead, Luther 'Uncle Luke' Campbell, was sued by George Lucas over the naming of his record label, Skyywalker Records. Campbell eventually paid $1 million and changed the company's name to Luke Records.
More recently, 2 Live Crew won a rare courtroom showdown over copyright law's 'termination right', a federal provision that allows songwriters and artists to take back the rights to their music decades after selling them to a company.
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Sexual abuse accusations
2 Live Crew were accused of breaking obscenity laws with their album *As Nasty As They Wanna Be*. The local sheriff, Nick Navarro, started arresting record store owners and employees for selling the album, and members of 2 Live Crew were arrested for performing the songs at a nightclub in Hollywood, Florida. The group was later acquitted. The album was the first to be deemed obscene, and the court's ruling set a legal precedent for hip-hop artists to create as they choose.
The group was also sued for copyright infringement for parodying Roy Orbison's 'Oh, Pretty Woman' on the album *As Clean as They Wanna Be*. The copyright owners of the original song brought a lawsuit in 1990, but in 1994, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the 2 Live Crew's parody was fair use and did not infringe on the original.
In addition, 2 Live Crew's lead, Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell, was sued by George Lucas over the naming of his record label, Skyywalker Records. Campbell eventually paid $1 million and changed the company's name to Luke Records.
There is no mention of sexual abuse accusations against 2 Live Crew in the sources provided.
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Frequently asked questions
Obscenity.
The court ruled that the album was not obscene.
The group was sued by George Lucas over the name of their record label, Skyywalker Records.
The group paid $1 million and changed the name of the record label to Luke Records.
