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Copyright: Copyright, Fair Use & Checklists

Information about U.S. Copyright Law with links to authoritative resources

What is Fair Use?

Generally speaking, a fair use is any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited purpose such as to comment upon, criticize or parody a copyrighted work. It is common in academia for scholars who are commenting or critiquing a work to quote a few lines or paraphrase specific text.  The reasoning behind the fair use doctrine is that the public gain a better understanding or greater knowledge by the interpretation of the work.

Fair Use Checklists

Print, complete and retain a copy of this form for each project connected with a possible 'fair use' of a copyrighted work.