Fair Use Policy
Introduction:
This Fair Use Policy outlines the guidelines for the use of images, videos, and written content featuring professional athletes, college athletes, and high school athletes found on the internet or social media.
It addresses the creation of articles, blog posts, or statements using such multimedia content.
Definition of Fair Use:
Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows the limited use of copyrighted material without the permission of the copyright owner for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. In the context of athlete multimedia content, fair use may apply when used for informational or commentary purposes.
US Copyright Acts:
The United States Copyright Act provides the legal framework for the protection of original works of authorship, including photographs, videos, and written content. Section 107 of the Copyright Act specifically addresses fair use and lists factors to be considered when determining whether a particular use is fair.
Fair Use Guidelines for Athlete Multimedia Content:
Purpose: The use of athlete multimedia content is limited to purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.
Attribution: Provide proper attribution to the source of the multimedia content whenever possible, acknowledging the original creator.
Non-commercial Use: Ensure that the primary purpose of using athlete multimedia content is non-commercial and not intended for direct financial gain.
Transformative Use: Strive for transformative use of athlete multimedia content, adding new meaning or context through commentary, analysis, or creative expression.
Amount and Substantiality: Use only the amount of multimedia content necessary for the intended purpose. Avoid using substantial portions that could negatively impact the market value of the original work.
Written Content Fair Use: When using written content, adhere to fair use principles by incorporating excerpts for commentary, criticism, or analysis while respecting the original context.
Video Images Fair Use: Apply fair use principles when using video images by ensuring that the purpose is transformative, the amount used is reasonable, and attribution is provided.
Conclusion:
This Fair Use Policy seeks to establish comprehensive guidelines for the ethical and legal use of athlete images, videos, and written content, aligning with the principles of fair use as defined by the US Copyright Act. Users are strongly advised to seek legal counsel for personalized guidance in specific situations.