This guide is designed to share information on copyright and related topics. This guide does not supply legal advice nor is it intended to replace the advice of legal counsel.
Fair use is a statutory right in the United States that allows us to use works protected by copyright without requesting permission or paying licenses.
Four factors are considered in all fair use evaluations:
The four factors don't have equal weight. The fourth factor carries more weigh than the others. The first factor can be a deciding factor if the use is "transformative" which means that the use gives the work new meaning.
Under the right to fair use, you can use someone else's work without asking permission.
Best practice for distributing copies:
Best practice for online sources: