Top 5 Common Myths About Fair Use

Fair use is one of the most misunderstood topics in copyright law. Let’s clear up the biggest misconceptions:

1. “If I credit the creator, it’s fair use.”— False. Attribution does not replace permission.
2. “Using less than 10 seconds is fine.”— False. There’s no fixed time limit for fair use.
3. “Nonprofit or educational use is automatically fair.”— False. Context and purpose still matter.
4. “Fair use is the same worldwide.”— False. Laws differ by country.
5. “If it’s on the internet, it’s free to use.”— Definitely false. Copyright applies to nearly all creative works.

When in doubt, always check licenses, get permission, or use original content. Fair use is a defense, not a guarantee.