π Topic Summary
Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows you to use copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder in certain circumstances. This is especially relevant in computer science when you might use snippets of code, images, or audio in your projects. Understanding fair use is crucial to avoid copyright infringement and to ensure that you're respecting the rights of creators while still fostering innovation and learning.
The key is to use the material in a transformative way β adding something new, creating a parody, or using it for educational purposes. Remember the four factors courts consider: the purpose and character of your use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount and substantiality of the portion used, and the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.
π§βπ« Part A: Vocabulary
| Term |
Definition |
| 1. Copyright |
A. Using copyrighted material without permission when it benefits the public. |
| 2. Fair Use |
B. The exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, and sell a literary, musical, or artistic work. |
| 3. Public Domain |
C. Creative materials that are not protected by intellectual property laws such as copyright, trademark, or patent laws. |
| 4. Attribution |
D. Giving credit to the original creator of a work. |
| 5. Transformative Use |
E. Using copyrighted material in a new way, or for a different purpose. |
Match the term to its correct definition.
βοΈ Part B: Fill in the Blanks
When using code from the internet, it's important to consider __________ laws. __________ allows you to use copyrighted material for educational purposes. Always provide __________ to the original author. If you are unsure, seek __________. Ensure your use does not negatively impact the __________ of the original work.
π€ Part C: Critical Thinking
Imagine you are creating a Python game that uses sound effects from a popular video game. How would you ensure your use of these sound effects falls under fair use?