Fair Use Debate

The cluster centers on discussions debating whether specific instances of copying or using copyrighted material qualify as fair use under copyright law, with frequent references to Wikipedia and 'IANAL' disclaimers.

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Keywords

US NYT JPEG NZ DVD FSF GPL IANAL ycombinator.com VHS fair use fair copyright copyrighted doctrine ianal law license copyright law copying

Sample Comments

dinobones Aug 22, 2024 View on HN

IANAL, but https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use is a thing. Not sure if it applies in this case though.

mirimir Mar 27, 2016 View on HN

That comes under fair use, I suspect. But IANAL ;)

eru Sep 10, 2009 View on HN

Thanks. Though I wonder how this copying squares with fair use laws.

NicoleJO Sep 16, 2022 View on HN

Fair use doesn't apply here.

jpollock Jun 1, 2023 View on HN

The copy isn't authorized, the copy is allowed under Fair Use. There's a huge difference between the two.

nominated1 Aug 12, 2021 View on HN

IANAL but if you decided to pirate the content I could see a case for Fair Use [1][1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use

kleer001 Jan 25, 2023 View on HN

It would easily fall under the auspices of 'fair use'. IANAL.

anigbrowl May 18, 2024 View on HN

No, it's well within the fair use exemption.

cynicalkane Mar 12, 2012 View on HN

It's fair use if you don't abuse it!

CamperBob2 Jul 29, 2025 View on HN

Don't comply in advance. Transformative uses like this are fair use until adjudicated otherwise.