INFORMATION & RESOURCES FOR FREE EXPRESSION
Fair Use Reference Guide 1.0
» Table of
Contents
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» Copyright 101
» Fair Use
» Cease and Desist 101
» DMCA § 512 Takedowns
How much can you borrow, quote or copy from someone else's work? What happens if you get a "cease and desist" letter from a copyright owner? These and many other questions make "intellectual property," or "IP," law, a mass of confusion for artists, scholars, journalists, bloggers, and everyone else who contributes to culture and political debate.
The Fair Use Network was created because of the many questions that artists, writers, and others have about "IP" issues. Whether you are trying to understand your own copyright or trademark rights, or are a "user" of materials created by others, the information here will help you understand the system — and especially its free-expression safeguards.
If you have received a "cease and desist" letter from a copyright or trademark owner, or a notice from your Internet service provider about a "takedown" letter, you'll also find useful information on this site.
ALERT:
This website provides legal information; it does not provide legal advice.
Legal advice is tailored to the facts of your particular situation.
If you need legal advice, please look in the directory to find an attorney.
The Fair Use Network is an initiative of the
Free Expression Policy Project at the
Brennan Center for Justice at
NYU School of
Law.