Question and Answer

How do I decide whether something is fair use?

Each application of fair use must be examined on a case-by-case basis, as there are no absolute rules about how much of a copyrighted work may be copied and still be considered a fair use.

To do a fair use analysis, you need to consider the four factors that U.S. Courts have provided as criteria.

These are:

  • the purpose and character of your use
  • the nature of the copyrighted work
  • the amount and substantiality of the portion taken
  • the effect of the use upon the potential market

Learn more

See the University of Arizona Fair Use Checklist.

See our tutorial:
Fair Use & Copyright in Instruction

Fair Use & Copyright in Instruction

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