‘Oh the Places You’ll Boldly Go!’ to Test the Bounds of Fair Use

A Star Trek take on a Dr. Seuss classic has pitted Sesame Street and the Motion Picture Association of America against law professors and public interest groups, in a copyright dispute that could clarify when someone can transform original works without permission.

Dr. Seuss Enterprises LP is appealing a ruling that “Oh The Places You’ll Boldly Go!” by ComicMix LLC didn’t infringe “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!,” the last book by Theodor Seuss Geisel that was published in his lifetime. The Ninth Circuit’s decision on the petition could either give creators breathing room around the gray areas of fair use, ...