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If your use of materials satisfies the requirements of the fair use exception, your use does not violate copyright (even if the materials are protected by copyright). There is a four factor test (discussed on this page) used to determine whether fair use applies.
Fair use is not a bright line test -- the four factors are weighed, and balanced, to determine whether a use is "fair." Don't be afraid to apply fair use. It can be a valuable tool when making use of materials.
The four factors to consider, when evaluating if a use qualifies as fair use are set out in 17 U.S.C. §107:
No one of these factors are controlling, and the determination is based on a balancing of the factors.
For reference, see:
An important factor to consider which may be supportive of fair use is whether the use is considered a "transformative" use. A transformative use is a use which "adds something new, with a further purpose or different character, altering the first with new expression, meaning, or message." Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc., 510 U.S. 569, 579 (1994).
For reference, see:
Other factors which, according to the statute, may support fair use are: "criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching . . . scholarship, or research." However, even if a use is for one of these purposes, that does not guarantee that the use will constitute a fair use. And a use can still qualify as "fair use" if it is for a purpose which is not listed in the statute.