LibGuides: Copyright for Music: Fair Use

About Fair Use

Fair Use: A legal doctrine that permits the unlicensed use of copyright-protected works in certain circumstances.

Online Resources

Fair Use (Brief Overview)
The basics of fair use from the Columbia University Libraries/Information Services Copyright Advisory Office.
ARL Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Academic and Research Libraries
Identifies eight principles representing the library community's current consensus about acceptable practices for the fair use of copyrighted material.
Tales from the Public Domain: Bound by Law?
A fun graphic novel from Duke University's Center for the Study of the Public Domain that discusses copyright issues, with a focus on fair use.
Understanding Fair Use (U. Minnesota)
Excellent explanation of the four (and five) factors to consider when contemplating whether a use will be "fair." Includes comments on guidelines and best practices.

Books

Copyright Law for Librarians and Educators by Kenneth D. Crews
Publication Date: 2020
Available online only.
Covers many areas of copyright law, including Fair Use, digitization, Creative Commons, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and other important topics.
Copyright Law for Librarians and Educators by Kenneth D. Crews
Call Number: KF2995 .C74 2012 [Mortensen Reference]
Publication Date: 2012
Older edition available in print.
This book covers many areas of copyright law and has a substantial section on Fair Use.

Checklists & Tools

Online Resources

It is recommended that you keep completed, dated checklists on file for future reference and to establish a “reasonable and good faith” attempt at applying fair use.

Fair Use Checklist (Columbia U.)
A mechanism to document your decision-making process, intended to help you to focus on facts important to your fair use evaluation.
Fair Use Checklist (U. Georgia)
A tool to assist in making a reasoned and balanced application of the four fair use factors in determining whether a given use of a work is a fair use.

Dance-Specific Resources

Online Resources

Statement of Best Practices in Fair Use of Dance-related Materials
"Clarifies what librarians, archivists, curators, and others working with dance-related materials currently regard as a reasonable application of the Copyright Act’s fair use doctrine." Endorsed by many prominent dance associations.

Suggest a Resource

Know of a resource you think should be added to this guide? Let us know!

Want to suggest we purchase something new? Contact Tracey Rudnick (rudnick@hartford.edu).