what is fair use?

Question

What is are fair use exemptions for copyrights?
I'm trying to figure out what i can and can't do when creating graphics using other people graphics.
All I want to do with them is put them on my site and let other people use them too.

Answer 1

If you are an art critic, and you write an article about Vinnie's new art show at a gallery near you, and include in your article some snapshots of his paintings to illustrate your points, that's fair use.

If you're a book critic and in your review of Lord of the Rings you include some quotes from the book, that's fair use.

If you put other peoples graphics up on a website for third parties to download and use, that's NOT fair use, and it's copyright infringement.

Richard