- St. Olaf Libraries
- Research Guides
- Rights Guide for Faculty
- Copyright and Fair Use
Rights Guide for Faculty
Director of Research & Instructional Technology
What does copyright law say?
- Complete Version of U.S. Copyright LawRead the full text of U.S. Copyright Law, contained in Title 17 of the U.S. Code.
What is copyright?
Watch this short video to learn the basics of copyright and fair use.
from Common Sense Education - CC-BY-NC-ND
What is fair use?
In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include—
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The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes
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The nature of the copyrighted work
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The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole, and
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The effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work [17 U.S.C. § 107]
How can I determine fair use?
- Thinking Through Fair UseThis form, from the University of Minnesota, "helps you structure your own reflections about the fair use factors, and provides a record that you did consider relevant issues."
- Fair Use EvaluatorThis tool, from the American Library Association, guides you through the steps to determine whether your use is fair. Provides a pdf of your analysis.