Licensing
Fair Use
A United States doctrine permitting limited unlicensed use of protected material for purposes such as criticism, commentary, or parody.
What it means in practice
Courts evaluate factors including purpose and character, the nature of the source work, the amount used, and market effect. The analysis is fact-specific, and commercial creator content may require legal review before relying on the doctrine.
Why it matters
An incorrect fair use assessment can expose a campaign to takedowns, legal costs, and infringement liability.
How it is used
A legal reviewer evaluates a creator's proposed commentary clip before the brand publishes material containing third-party content.
Related terms
- RoyaltyA recurring payment to a rights holder calculated from continued use or revenue generated by the licensed work.
- Trademark LicensePermission for a party to use a protected brand name, logo, or slogan within agreed guidelines.
- Non-Exclusive LicenseA permission that lets the brand use content while the creator retains the right to license it to others.