When Does Technical Intervention Make A Derivative Work Fair Use?

Regardless of how you feel about Justin Bieber, his work slowed down 8x is kind of awesome. Even better are classical sci-fi theme songs slowed down by the same amount (of course, including Dr Who):

Slowed down science fiction classics (from io9.com) by charliejane2

Are these transformations fair use? They are distributed freely and will not replace their originals in the market, but they probably do not count as commentary or parody.

Using a romantic-conception-of-the-author/European vision of copyright, they are even less protected–even though their creation requires vision, it does not probably include a great deal of work.

It’s a little depressing to think that such a fun and harmless online meme might be copyright violation and shut down. *knocks on digital wood*. Yet another reason fair use needs to default to covering not-for-profit derivative works.

Inspirational Quote:

“Musical compositions, it should be remembered, do not inhabit certain countries, certain museums, like paintings and statues.  The Mozart Quintet is not shut up in Salzburg:  I have it in my pocket.”–Henri Rabaud