Are you following the copyright guidelines on Physics Forums?

[Ivan Seeking]

I thought I had better post a reminder of the forum rules regarding copyright protected materials. We don't want to fudge on this one folks.

Copyright Guidelines:
Copyright infringement is illegal. Physics Forums will enforce the law. Never post an article in it's entirety. When posting copyrighted material, please use small sections or link to the article. When posting copyrighted material please give credit to the author in your post.

Physics Forums & mkaku.org Forums Guidelines
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=5374

 

[jimmy p]

Is there a limit to the amount of words that can be used?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I need to read this later but for now this should cover the specifics.

Fair Use Law
http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html

I would add that good faith should always apply. The point is not to steal other people's work.

See section 107

§ 107. Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use38
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include —

(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;

(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;

(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and

(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.

http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html#107