fair use

Copyright and Free Expression

Parody is one example of how copyright law’s fair use doctrine protects free expression.  According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a parody is “an imitation of the style of a particular writer, artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect.”  In our modern culture, parody exists in a range of media, including art, literature, television, and music.  Some famous examples of parody in film include Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein and Austin Powers.  Saturday Night Live and Weird Al Yankovic also rely on parody.

Fair use — which protects parody — is a legal doctrine that promotes freedom of expression by allowing the public to use copyrighted works without the permission of the copyright holder.  The statutory framework for fair use is found in Section 107 of the Copyright Act.  Section 107 enumerates the following four factors, which must be evaluated to determine whether a use is fair:

  • Factor 1: Purpose and character of the use, including whether the use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes
  • Factor 2: Nature of the copyrighted work
  • Factor 3: Amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole
  • Factor 4: Effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work

Read more: https://dsi.appstate.edu/news/copyright-and-free-expression

All Things Open Week: Call for Proposals

Texas Tech University Libraries and Kennesaw State University are teaming up to co-host All Things Open Week, a virtual conference that combines issues typically discussed during Open Education Week, Open Access Week, Fair Use Week and more. We invite all interested parties to submit a presentation proposal. All sessions will be virtual.

What does “all things open” encompass?

  • Open access publishing
  • Open data
  • Open educational resources
  • Open pedagogy
  • Open science
  • Open-source software
  • Open licensing and fair use
  • And any other efforts to increase access and equity!

Speakers can choose from different “open” tracks and themes, and there are options for lightning talks, full-length presentations or interactive Q&A panels. The submission portal is open now through March 1, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

For more information and to submit a proposal, please follow this linkhttps://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/ato/cfp.html

 

Virtual Event: Fair Use for Nonfiction Authors

Virtual Event

Fair Use for Nonfiction Authors  

Wednesday, February 28, 12:00 – 1:00

Are you a nonfiction author? A grad student working on your thesis or dissertation? Have you ever wanted to know whether you needed permission or a paid license to use copyrighted material in your work? Would you like to learn more about fair use? If so, Fair Use for Nonfiction Authors is for you!

This workshop is designed for all nonfiction authors who want to know more about using copyrighted materials.

Join us to review principles and limitations of fair use for common situations nonfiction authors face when incorporating copyrighted works into their writings.

Register online: https://albany.libcal.com/event/11998367

SLIS Professional Development Series: Kyle K. Courtney

Kyle K. Courtney is a lawyer and librarian serving as the Director of Copyright and Information Policy at Harvard University, working out of the Harvard Library. His award-winning “Copyright First Responders” initiative is in its 10th year, and has spread beyond Harvard to reach libraries, archives, museums, and cultural institutions across the U.S. He is a published author and nationally recognized speaker on the topics of copyright, libraries, and the law. In 2014, he founded Fair Use Week, now an international celebration sponsored annually by over 100+ universities, libraries, and other institutions.

Join virtually: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/93945934366?pwd=R0RIQWMra0kxYkpSdmJVQitzZzFOQT09

More information: https://slis.uiowa.edu/event/137661/0

Find Yourself in Copyright

As part of Fair Use Week, the US Copyright Office will hold a webinar, “Find Yourself in Copyright,” on Monday, February 26, 1:00–2:00 p.m. eastern. This presentation will highlight the rights of creators and also the limitations on exclusive rights, including fair use, within US copyright law.

There will be a 45-minute presentation followed by 15 minutes for Q&A.

Presenter: George Thuronyi, deputy director of the Office of Public Information and Education (PIE) at the United States Copyright Office.

Registration

Registration is required. Register online: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kV6KdsIsRlK6CZ0h1Ek_MA

Navigating Fair Use: A Guide for Instructors

Have you ever had concerns about using copyrighted content in your teaching materials? If so, we invite you to join our engaging workshop in honor of Fair Use Week. This workshop aims to demystify the complexities of fair use in educational settings, empowering you with invaluable knowledge and practical strategies for navigating copyright law with confidence. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or new to the concept, this workshop will provide the tools you need to succeed.

To attend, register here: https://colostate.libcal.com/event/12083242

Fair Use Week 2024: Q&A with Columbia University Libraries Director of Copyright Advisory Services Rina Pantalony

Fair Use Week 2024: Q&A with Director of Copyright Advisory Services Rina Pantalony

Rina Pantalony, Director of
Copyright Services

With Fair Use/Fair Dealing Week approaching from February 26 through March 1, we sat down with Columbia University Libraries Director of Copyright Services Rina Pantalony to dissect what fair use means, how to determine whether or not you are within the boundaries of fair use, and the role fair use plays in today’s world.

Read more: https://blogs.cul.columbia.edu/spotlights/2024/02/20/fair-use-week-2024-qa-with-director-of-copyright-advisory-services-rina-pantalony/

Fair Use in Text Data Mining & Artificial Intelligence

How can fair use allow for computational research techniques? Join The Library Copyright Institute, Authors Alliance, and panelists Dave Hansen (Authors Alliance), Rachael Samberg (UC Berkeley), and Lauren Tilton (University of Richmond) for a discussion about fair use and copyright law in the context of text data mining, machine learning, and generative AI.

Register to attend the webinar: https://unc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JLa98OehTaG_GBErOMT7Wg#/registration

Copyright Office Hours

Is there something you’ve always wondered about copyright but were afraid to ask? Stop by the Libraries and chat with our Copyright Librarian! In honor of Fair Use Week, we’ll be tabling in Main Library to share copyright resources and answer any questions you might have, like “Do I own a copyright?” “Can I use this in my project?” and more.

Note: The Copyright Librarian is not a lawyer and cannot provide legal advice.

Location: Northwestern University Main Library