Assignment 11

Through the readings on copyright and plagiarism as well as the presentation by Trinity University librarian, Diane Graves, I have gained rather extensive knowledge on a topic that I previously knew very little about. One thing that I took particular interest in is the Fair Use Rule, which entitles authors to make limited use of another's copyrighted work without asking permission or infringing on the original copyright. Fair use is based on the belief that the public is entitled to freely use portions of copyrighted materials for purposes of commentary and criticism. Although there are some limitations to these examples, the following uses are typically considered fair uses: Criticism and comment; news reporting; research and scholarship; nonprofit educational uses; and parody. I have always been under the impression that if you use pieces of other writers literature in your work without permission that you were plagiarizing. As with many of the topics surrounding copyright and plagiarism, there are disputes about what is or is not a fair use. One line that is clear yet is still often crossed is the line of commercial use. Violations often occur when the use is motivated primarily by a desire for commercial gain. Non-commercial use, on the other hand, is often considered fair use. With that being said, fair use is not immediately ruled out when a commerical motive is involved. For example, a use that benefits the public can qualify as a fair use, even if it makes money for the user.