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Copyright Licensing Office

Fair Use Overview

Fair use is a legal doctrine that exists to balance the rights of copyright owners with the interests of the general public. A favorable fair use conclusion allows you to to use copyrighted materials without permission or payment under certain circumstances. Fair use is determined on a case-by-case basis by evaluating four factors— purpose, nature, amount, and market effect— which are discussed further here. In addition to these factors, Section 107 of the Copyright Act specifically identifies the following examples as uses that may qualify as fair use:

  • Criticism and Comment
  • News Reporting
  • Teaching, Scholarship, and Research

Fair Use Topics

The Meaning of the Four Fair Use Factors
Substitutes for Purchasing or Licensing Work
Out of Print Works
Heart of the Work
Entire Work
Published Content
Bad Faith
Critical Purpose
Research Purpose
Educational Purpose
Transformative Use
Parody
Commercial Purpose
Fair Use Guidelines
Fair Use and Best Practice Publications
Tools for conducting a Fair Use Analysis
Weighing and Balancing the Factors
Fair Use Overview
Case Review
Fair Use Statute
Fair Use
Public Domain
Music and Copyright
Movies and Copyright
Copyright Registration
Copyright FAQs/Basics
Libraries and Copyright
Copyright in Education
Retaining Author Rights