If something is copyrighted, it can be used legally in a few ways:
- Obtain Permission: The best way to use copyrighted material is to get explicit permission from the copyright owner. This involves identifying the owner and requesting written permission or a license specifying the terms of use, including scope, duration, and fees if any.
- Use Licenses: Some copyrighted works come with licenses (such as Creative Commons) that allow certain uses under specific conditions without seeking direct permission.
- Fair Use: There are legal exceptions like fair use in the U.S., which allows limited use without permission for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. Whether a use qualifies as fair use depends on factors like the purpose of use, the nature of the work, how much is used, and the effect on the work’s market value.
- Public Domain: Works in the public domain can be used freely without permission.
Always attribute the source properly and when in doubt, seek legal advice or permission to avoid copyright infringement penalties, which can be severe. These are the main legal pathways to use copyrighted material safely.
