Media Lawyer Clarifies Fair Use in Radio Rebroadcasts: Kimmel Clips Not Free Game
Media attorney Matthew B. Harrison, who advises radio hosts and content creators, shares insights on fair use and copyright laws regarding rebroadcasting content. His expertise comes as radio hosts and podcasters often use 'newsworthiness' to justify replaying popular clips, such as Jimmy Kimmel's monologues.
Harrison, who can be reached at [email protected] or through TALKERS.com, emphasizes that fair use does not mean free use. Courts consider factors like the amount used, purpose, and market impact. Rebroadcasting a press conference, for instance, serves public information, but re-airing Kimmel competes directly with his own clips.
While radio hosts and podcasters may use 'newsworthiness' as a shield, news clips and comedy bits are not treated equally in court. Harrison notes that simply linking to ABC or YouTube does not replace the traffic and ad dollars the original creator expects. Instead, using less of someone else's content and saying more of your own is transformative and legally safer.
Harrison's advice comes amidst radio hosts and podcasters often rebroadcasting popular content like Kimmel's monologues. While fair use is complex, understanding its nuances can help content creators stay within legal bounds. As of current available sources, no widely known German radio hosts or podcasters have been publicly documented engaging specifically with Jimmy Kimmel's monologues in their shows or podcasts.
