Definition
A legal doctrine in U.S. copyright law (and similar doctrines in other jurisdictions) that permits the use of copyrighted material without permission from the rights holder under specific circumstances, including commentary, criticism, parody, education, and news reporting. Fair use is determined by a four-factor test: the purpose and character of the use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount used, and the effect on the market for the original work. For creators producing commentary, reaction, and educational content, fair use is a critical but frequently misunderstood legal concept — it is a defense, not a right, and must be evaluated case by case.
Related Terms
Platforms & Tools
Content ID
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Monetization
Licensing
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Legal & Business
SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation)
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Production & Editing
Commentary
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Production & Editing
Commentary Channel
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Content Creation & Strategy
Reviewer
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Legal & Business
Attribution
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Legal & Business
Creative Commons
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Legal & Business
Defamation
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Business & Entrepreneurship
Secondary Market Rights
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Production & Editing
Parody
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Production & Editing
Abridged Series
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Also Referenced By
12These terms link to Fair Use in their definitions.