Reasonable Perception and Parody in Copyright Law

Imagine you are a popular photographer who has just been asked to photograph a celebrity for a magazine cover. The celebrity poses in a famous position known as “Venus Pudica,” where her naked, pregnant body is shielded only by her arm, which is draped across her otherwise exposed chest—the only ornament adorning her figure is a diamond ring worn on her right hand. Meanwhile, her left arm and hand cup her pregnant belly. The photo-shoot goes well, and the magazine runs the photograph, which enjoys widespread attention.

You crack open a bottle of champagne and celebrate another successful project.