Writing Fellows logo that incorporates college shield and a pen.

Schoolcraft College Writing Fellows

Button that serves as a hotlink to the Writing Fellows Home page. Button that serves as a hotlink to Resources for Students. Button that serves as a hotlink to resources for faculty. Button that serves as a hotlink to resources for Writing Fellows. Button that serves as a hotlink to resources for avoiding plagiarism. Button that serves as a hotlink to resources on Writing.

Fair Use Checklist

According to the Copyright Office of the United States, "The distinction between 'fair use' and infringement may be unclear and not easily defined. There is no specific number of words, lines, or notes that may safely be taken without permission." (Factsheet FL-102)

Using the Fair Use Checklist that is part of Schoolcraft College Policy 3112.1 can be very helpful in determining whether or not the copies you are making of something that is copyrighted constitutes fair use.

To obtain a printer friendly version of this checklist in Microsoft Word format, please e-mail fellows@schoolcraft.edu and request a copy of Writing Fellows Handout #H-013.

Sections in Checklist

The Copyright Checklist addresses four issues raised by the copyright law.

    blue bullet used to denote item in a listPurpose
      How will the “work” be used by you?
    blue bullet used to denote item in a listNature
      What is the nature of the “work”?
    blue bullet used to denote item in a listAmount
      How much of the “work” do you plan to copy?
    blue bullet used to denote item in a listEffect
      As a result of your copies, will the copyright holder be deprived of sales revenue?


Arrow that is used to graphically demonstrate return-to.
Return to
Copyright Homepage
Arrow that is used to graphically demonstrate return-to.
Return to
Classroom Use
copyright.gif - 2053 Bytes

Under Schoolcraft College Policy 3112, college employees "assume responsibility for any copyright infringement" if they violate fair use standards and do not get permission of the copyright holder to reproduce the copyrighted materials.


Go to College Home Page
Go to
Schoolcraft College's home page.
Schoolcraft College Writing Fellows
18600 Haggerty
Livonia, MI 48152
734-462-4400 (ext. 5292)
fellows@schoolcraft.edu
Writing Fellows is one of the services provided by the Learning Assistance Center.
For more information about other services provided by the Learning Assistance Center, go to the LAC Home Page or call (734) 462-4436
This page was last updated on October 21, 2004.
Copyright © 2004 Schoolcraft College Writing Fellows Program