Copyright Basics: Fair Use

The Four Factors:

If you are challenged on your claim of Fair Use, judges will consider the following factors.  The more factors in your favor, the better your case.  Making a good faith effort to conform to the Fair Use criteria is important.

1. the purpose of your use 

2. the nature of the work 

3. the amount and substantiality of the portion taken

4. the effect of your use upon the potential market

Learn more about the four factors HERE on Stanford University's Libraries excellent webpage describing the evaluation process.

Want more info?  Check out these sites:

From the U.S. Copyright Office:

• The U.S. Copyright Office - Homepage
• U. S. Copyright Office Fair Use Index. Searchable index of copyright cases that involve fair use.
• Reproduction of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians.  Circular 21