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11 Ne. J. Legal Stud. 1 (2003)
Evolution of Moral Rights in the U.S. Copyright Law: The Twin Inheritance of Natural Rights and Statutory Construction

handle is hein.journals/neastjol11 and id is 8 raw text is: 1 / Vol. 11 / North East Journal of Legal Studies EVOLUTION OF MORAL RIGHTS IN U.S. COPYRIGHT LAW: THE TWIN INHERITANCE OF NATURAL RIGHTS AND STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION+ by Roy J. Girasa* and Vincent Puma** I. INTRODUCTION Monty Python, a well-known comedic group famous for its popular television program, known as Monty Python 's Flying Circus,' and for a number of movies that poke fun at establishment icons, became a litigant in a copyright dispute when the group refused to allow an American distributor to alter its programming. The case raised the issue of the right of an author to prevent mutilation2 and other distortions of his or her creation. The original agreement between the Monty Python and the BBC had provided that the group would deliver scripts to the BBC for its use in national broadcasts. The agreement further detailed the procedure to be followed in the event of script alterations prior to broadcast. BBC had final approval of the script, although any significant changes had to be made after consultation with the group. No alterations were to be made after the program had been recorded. Subject to the said agreement, the Monty Python group had all rights to the script. BBC was given the right by the group to license the transmission of the television series globally.3 In October 1973, Time-Life was given the right to distribute some BBC programs in * Professor of Law, Lubin School of Business, Pace University, Pleasantville, New York. E-mail: rgirasa@pace.edu **Adjunct Associate Professor of Law, Lubin School of Business, Pace University, Pleasantville, New York 'Winner of the Hoehlein Award for Distinguished Paper 2003

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