Copyright and Fair Use: Home

Copyright is the legal right to intellectual property by the creator of that property. In strict terms, the original creator of a work is the only entity that can give permission for the use of intellectual property. However, there are specific clauses that allow for limited use of this property in teaching and by libraries. 

"Public Domain" refers to materials that is not protected by intellectual property laws such as copyright, trademark, or patent laws. The public owns these works, not an individual author or artist. Anyone can use a public domain work without obtaining permission, but no one can ever own it.

--Definition from Stanford University Libraries

Creative works enter the public domain most commonly due to copyright expiring. In 2020, the copyright on works published in 1924 will expire. In 2021, copyright on works from 1925 will expire, etc.

There are a variety of web sites available that allow you to search for public domain materials.

    Four Factors of Fair Use:

1. The purpose and character of the use
2. The nature of the work
3. The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the work as a whole
4. The effect of the use on the market or potential market for the original work

Fair Use is not black and white, each use should be reviewed on a case by case basis.