In the United States, use of copyrighted material is considered fair when it is done for a limited and transformative purpose. Knowing what is determined fair use and what isn't, however, is not always as easy as it sounds. The Fair Use Evaluator, which was created by the American Library Association's Office for Information Technology Policy, helps readers through the process of deciding what is and isn't fair use under the U.S. Copyright Code. To use the evaluator, select "Make a Fair Use Evaluation." The program will then take readers through five steps, including Getting Started, The Fair Use Evaluator, Provide Additional Information, Get a Hard or Electronic Copy, and How to Use Your Analysis. In addition, on the homepage readers may also select Learn More About Fair Use, for basic information about fair use guidelines. As an interactive tool, the Evaluator is a helpful resource for anyone unsure about fairness of use.
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