Documentary Filmmakers Stiff Arm Copyright Infringement Suit
over Use of "Super Bowl Shuffle" Clips
For those of us of a certain age, the song "Super Bowl
Shuffle" and associated music video, which featured members of
the championship 1985 Chicago Bears rapping, left an indelible
memory. Indeed, who can easily forget the image of a
headband-wearing Jim McMahon laying down the following lyrics with
panache?
I motivate the cats, I like to tease.
I play so cool, I aim to please.
That's why you all got here on the double
To catch me doin' the Super Bowl Shuffle.
More recently, a federal court in Illinois found a documentary
filmmaker's limited use of clips from that infamous song in a
documentary about the '85 Bears to be fair use. (Red Label Music Publishing,
Inc. v. Chila Productions, No. 18-7252 (N.D. Ill.
May 30, 2019)).
