Fair use

Updated: 10/04/2017 by Computer Hope

Fair use is a limited use permitted by Copyright law, allowing using Copyrighted material for specific purposes (e.g., research and commenting).

Fair use tips

The following tips help you stay within fair use guidelines when using other's content (e.g., video clip or audio).

  1. Keep it short as possible. If you're making a YouTube video and want to use part of someone else's content, it should only be a few seconds.
Note

If what's being copied is the "heart" of the work, it may not be considered fair use, even if it's short.

  1. Transform the copyrighted work into your own work by commenting about the clip, taking it out of context, or making it a remix or mashup.
  2. Make sure how you're using the Copyright holder's work is not harming their ability to profit from the work being used.
  3. Attribute the content you're using in your content. In other words, if you use a small video clip from a YouTube video, attribute the source channel of the clip.

Copyright strikes

If, after posting the content, the Copyright holder discovers the usage of their work and believes it is not fair use, you may receive a Copyright strike. Often these Copyright violations are automated, meaning if you still believe it falls under fair use, you to dispute the claim. If, after receiving the dispute the Copyright holder still believes it's not fair use, the content can be taken down, blocked, or demonetized.

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