Understanding Copyright and Fair Use

Intellectual property is a frequent topic of conversation for me, especially as it relates to publishing podcasts and video online. There's a great deal of misunderstanding about what constitutes fair use, what constitutes a copyright violation and where the lines are drawn for using any content from music or movies purchased on DVD and CD. Just because you can do something doesn't mean it's legal. Conversely, just because a copyright holder doesn't want you to do something doesn't mean you can't. Creative Cow offers a two-part article series on copyright, fair use and how using other people's intellectual property is done within the confines of the law, relating to creating your own creative works. The first article defines intellectual property rights. The second article goes on to cover some of the finer points of fair use. While these articles are not written by a lawyer and shouldn't be substituted for seeking an official legal opinion, they do cover the topic effectively, providing guidance that may steer you clear of pursing potentially infringing actions.

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