Copyright Basics
| Concept | Explanation |
|---|
| What's protected | Original creative works fixed in tangible form — text, images, music, code, video |
| What's NOT protected | Ideas, facts, titles, short phrases, works by US government |
| Duration | Life of author + 70 years (US). After that: public domain. |
| Registration | Copyright exists at creation — registration is optional but needed to sue |
Fair Use — 4 Factors
| Factor | Questions Courts Ask |
|---|
| Purpose & character | Transformative? Nonprofit/educational? Commercial use weighs AGAINST fair use. |
| Nature of work | Factual (more likely fair) vs creative/fictional (less likely) |
| Amount used | Small portion? Is it the "heart" of the work? Less is better. |
| Market effect | Does your use replace the original? If yes, almost certainly NOT fair use. |
Creative Commons Licenses
| Code | Meaning |
|---|
| CC BY | Use freely, must give credit |
| CC BY-SA | Credit + share adaptations under same license |
| CC BY-NC | Credit + non-commercial use only |
| CC0 | Public domain dedication — no restrictions |
Pro Tip: Fair use is a defense, not a right. There's no magic word count or percentage that makes something 'fair use.' Courts evaluate all four factors case by case. If you're making money from someone else's work, assume it's NOT fair use until a lawyer tells you otherwise.