Remember those creative JibJab guys who made that political vidoe parody along with Woody Guthrie’s This Land For You and Me song? They were sued and ducked legal jabs over copyright infringment and have begun to enjoy some commercial success with Budweiser and others, but has success made them hypocrites?

BoingBoing and WFMU point to a story that says JibJab’s lawyers have sent a cease and desist letter to the creator of a “mashup” video that’s become quite popular recently. The video uses a 9-second clip of the This Land parody, and it’s hard to look at in any way that isn’t covered by fair use. Unfortunately, it looks like some people are thinking fair use only goes in one direction.

This is already replaying the whole “what is fair use?” discussion. Sadly, JibJab’s green infusion seems to have given them selective Fair Use amnesia, or at least that could be the perspective of many who follow the story from beginning to end. From victims to overlords thanks to one C&D or just bad legal advice? You decide.

Did this post make you go hmm?

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