What Do You Know About Copyright & Fair Use?
What is Copyright and Fair Use? According to the U.S. Copyright Office , copyright was established to protect the creative work of an author/artist/creator. The work of an artist must be an independent creation, meaning the work is original and not copying another's work. With copyright law, the creator is given the right to authorize reproductions, variations, and performances of their work. These rights protect the author for as long as they live plus an additional 70 years! Fair Use , on the other hand, dictates whether individuals are able to use copyrighted material depending on the circumstances. Therefore, this legal doctrine supports freedom of expression. There are four main criteria that help determine usability: Purpose and character of use Nature of the work Amount of work used Effect on the market or value of the copyrighted work Purpose and character indicate how an individual is using the work. If it is intended for non-profit and educational uses then it is...