FAQs - About Fair Use

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

About Fair Use
The "fair use" exception to copyright law allows non-owners of copyrighted work to copy and use another's work for educational, research or non-profit purposes in limited instances without the permission of the copyright owner.
	What's all the fuss about fair use? Isn't there a blanket exception under copyright law for the use of copyrighted materials in an educational setting?
	How am I supposed to know if I have applied the four factors correctly? Aren't there any hard-and-fast rules to follow when evaluating fair use?
	Are there any instances in which educators may copy and distribute copyrighted works to their students?
	What about copying library materials? Is that governed by fair use?
	Does fair use apply to the internet?
	Doesn't the TEACH Act eliminate the need for a fair use analysis with regard to distance education?
	Does MnSCU provide any guidelines relating to the use and reproduction of copyrighted works for educational purposes for its faculty, students and staff?

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