Library events celebrate Fair Use / Fair Dealing Week, Feb. 24 to Feb. 28

Yale Library hosts events for Fair Use/Fair Dealing Week,  the annual nationwide celebration of the international doctrines that define the rules and exceptions for use of copyrighted materials. Understanding these doctrines is essential for students, faculty, librarians, journalists, writers, and all others who wish to use copyrighted material in their own work.

• Walking through Fair Use

Yale Library is hosting “Walking through Fair Use,” an online information session and workshop, on Tues., Feb. 25, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Participants will learn about the specifics of the Fair Use exemption in U.S. Copyright law, which allows for reuse of content without acquiring permission from the rights holder.

The workshop will also feature a walk-through of the “Four Factors of Fair Use”—the four legal considerations that courts use to determine whether a particular use is considered a “fair use” and does not infringe on the rights of the copyright holder.

Questions are welcome during this interactive session. One lucky attendee will win a full set of Fair Use coasters created by the American Library Association. All are welcome, and attendance is free. Register in advance.

• Fair Use Trivia

On Thurs., Feb. 27, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., the library is hosting a Fair Use Trivia event in the International Room in Sterling Memorial Library. Participants will learn about fair use while playing games, enjoying snacks, and entertaining Handsome Dan. Prizes will be awarded, too. All are welcome, and attendance is free. Register in advance.

Learn more about Fair Use/Fair Dealing Week 2025 and about events featuring many copyright librarian colleagues. 

Read more in the blog “Conversations on Copyright at Yale Library.”

—Deborah Cannarella