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.