Copyright and "Fair Use"

http://www.ezfinancialtutorials.com/
A very brief discussion of what is Fair Use of copyrighted material by someone who is not an attorney and who has had over forty years experience as a songwriter and publisher

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• Copyright
• Fair
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• Willett
• background
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[AsasireToyotomi]

Is 18 second long music video fair use or not?

[Featureman]

@AsasireToyotomi The duration has no significance in determining whether something is Fair Use. One second or one hour is not what determines Fair Use. Thanks.

[GraceofTheWay]

I posted a slide video of our family to YouTube using a song as my background music from a folder that was already on my Window Movie Maker. The file was marked "public." However; YouTube sent me an e-mail informing me that the video "may" have content that is owned by rumblefish. I used about 2 and a half minutes of the instrumental. I was also informed that no action was required on my part. I listed the song's information in the credits. Could my use of a public song violate fair use?

[Featureman]

@GraceofTheWay It is unlikely you will face any legal challenge. The fact that a song is public does not mean it is public domain. If Rumnlefish owns a song and someone uses it without permission, Rumblefish could ask for the person to cease using their property. If there were numerous violations or some damage to Rumblefish a lawsuit could happen. The best policy is to use public domain or original music or music that you have permission to use.

[baybeecleoxx]

If I post a video of me singing a song on Youtube, but in the description show that I didn't write the song and I don't own it, and write who owns it, will I get in trouble?

[Featureman]

@baybeecleoxx Most people get away with it, but it is not legal. The copyright owner of the song could ask YouTube to delete the soundtrack or the video. It is best to use public domain and originals. Thanks.

[GraceofTheWay]

@Featureman Thank you so much. Your information was very helpful.

[Featureman]

@jisaid08 It would depend on many things. There is no guarantee you would bot be sued. If you were sued you might win or lose depending on many factors. Who owns the source material might come into question and how it was obtained. It would be best to run it by an attorney to be more certain.

[jisaid08]

Thank you for posting this, it is very informative. I wanted to use a couple of small portions of an audio interview between Kirk Cameron and Kent Hovind. Now in my video I mention that the audio recordings are from them, in order to criticize them (Both of them say really stupid things during the interview). Is this considered fair use? Could I be slapped with a DMC or get in actual trouble for mentioning their names or using portions of their audio interviews in my documentary?