Copyright & Fair Use

Fair use is a doctrine of U.S. copyright law which gives exceptions to certain uses of copyrighted materials, which would otherwise be copyright infringement. To determine if fair use applies to your use, the four fair use factors must be applied. 

This checklist also available as a Word document you can download and type into.

Instructions:

• The checklist is a tool that allows you to perform a rigorous fair use analysis, by completing each portion of the checklist below.
• Not all of the statements under each factor will be present in any given situation. Check only those that apply to your use.
• Where there are counter (opposing) statements, usually only one or the other applies.
• No single item or factor is determinative of fair use, but some factors carry more weight than others, as indicated below.
• The final determination is based on a weighing or balancing of the four factors. You do not need to have all factors or all details pointing in favor of or against fair use. (It’s not “all or nothing”.)
• The use of this checklist is a good way to demonstrate your good faith attempt to follow the doctrine of fair use. Complete and retain a copy of this checklist for each fair use of a copyrighted work, should any dispute arise.
• All shared materials should include a notice attributing the original source of the work.
• Copies must be made from legally owned copies (personal or Kirkwood-owned).
• Contact Kirkwood Library Services for help in making a fair use determination.

Factor 1: Purpose and Character of the Use

Factor 2: Nature of the Work

Give this factor less weight when the work is published, non-consumable, and non-fictional

Factor 3: Amount and Substantiality of Portion Used

There is no set rule regarding amount used (e.g. rules such as 10% or 1 chapter have been rejected by the courts). You should avoid using a portion that is the “heart” of the work.

Factor 4: Effect on the Market for Original

Note: you must own a lawfully acquired or purchased copy of the original work that is used: this may be a personal copy or a copy owned by the institution (e.g. a library copy) – this may NOT be a copy obtained through Interlibrary Loan or other rented or borrowed source.

This factor carries the most weight, but is not so weighty that it determines fair use analysis. Favorable use of the first 3 factors may outweigh unfavorable results here.

Based on the University System of Georgia “Fair Use Checklist”. Used with permission.

The 2-Factor Method

CMSI has developed an alternative 2-factor method specifically for educators determining whether the copying they want to do would be considered fair use. If you can answer "yes" to both of these questions, a court would likely rule the use if fair:

1. Does the use "transform" the materials taken from the copyrighted work by using it for a broadly beneficial purpose different from that of the original (or does it just repeat the work for the same intent and value as the original)?
2. Is the material taken appropriate in kind and amount considering the nature of the copyrighted work and of the use?

Taken from CMSI's "Best Practices in Fair Use for OER"

More Fair Use Resources

The Center for Media & Social Impact (CMSI) has been developing Codes of Best Practices for different users and disciplines which are extremely helpful. We recommend you look through these to see if your discipline is represented. 

Q: What about images, video clips, or other multimedia? Don't special rules apply?

A: The Fair Use doctrine makes no distinctions between different media or formats. Therefore the four fair use factors can still be applied to use of multimedia. However, some common uses listed below are typically considered fair use:

1. Students may incorporate portions of lawfully acquired copyrighted works when producing their own educational multimedia projects for a specific course.
2. Students may perform and display their own multimedia projects for educational uses in the course for which they were created and use in their own portfolios as examples for later personal uses (e.g. job and graduate school interviews).
3. Educators may incorporate portions of lawfully acquired copyrighted works when producing their own educational multimedia projects for their own teaching tools in support of curriculum-based instructional activities at educational institutions
4. Educators may perform and display their own multimedia projects in face-to-face instruction or posted online in a secure location, such as Talon.

Q: The rules keep repeating to use a "lawfully acquired copy". What exactly is a "lawfully acquired copy"? 

A: In the case of educational use, it means copying the portion of the work you use from a personal copy or a college-owned copy (often a Library copy). Specifically, copying a portion from a rented or interlibrary loaned copy is *NOT* using a lawfully acquired copy, because it was only borrowed, not owned by the instructor or the institution.

The same general rules for use of copyrighted material outlined on this guide also apply to use of videos. Here are answers to some common questions:

Q: I show a lot of YouTube videos in class. Can I post these to Talon?

A: Yes, just use the "Share" button in YouTube (or other online video source) and use the direct link or the embed code to share in Talon. Also, it's good practice not to link to a video that doesn't appear to have been posted by the owner. It's likely not a legal copy. Remember that the library can often purchase a copy of a published video, such as an episode of a series, a movie, or a documentary.

Q: I have a personal copy of a DVD that I usually show in class. How can I post this video online?

A: You can typically contact Kirkwood's Media Services for assistance with this. The Library can sometimes purchase streaming video as well, depending on the title.

Q: Can I borrow a DVD from another library, like the public library or through interlibrary loan, and ask Media Services to put this on our VOD system?

A: No. The TEACH Act states that the original copy must be owned by the individual or by the college.

Q: I want to post a short clip of a YouTube video. Can I download a copy then edit it down to the clip I want to use?

A: This question is more complicated. First, check the usage license on the video. It is possible to find videos on YouTube that are open licensed, which allows anyone to make a copy and edit it. However, there are a couple of other options when the video is not open licensed:

1. Create a share URL for a YouTube video that begins at the moment you want students to begin. Pause the video where you want the clip to begin, then click on the Share button, and select the box at the bottom that says "Start at". Copy and paste the resulting link as usual.
2. Use an educational video editing and sharing software such as PlayPosit or Edpuzzle, which allow you to trim clips and add in multiple choice, true/false, or short answer questions while the video pauses. 

Any other questions? Just Ask a Librarian!