Can I copy material from the Internet?
Content on the Internet is protected by copyright, just like content in printed form. You generally need the copyright owner?s consent to copy their content. Check whether any policy or terms of use on the website/blog address this. Please also check for any limitations or conditions of such use, for example only non-commercial use is permitted, or you are required to credit the photographer.
You may use copyright content without having to first seek consent if your use is fair. This is called the ?fair use? exception.
There are 4 statutory factors that the court will consider:
The purpose and character of your use;
The nature of the work you are using;
The amount and substantiality of the portion of the work you are using, in relation to the whole work; and
The effect that your use will have on the potential market for, or value of, the work. This is ultimately a factual assessment to be made and the court may also take into account other relevant factors.
The https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/CA2021 (Copyright Act) does list certain types of uses as deemed fair use. One such use is for purposes of research or study. However, the amount copied must be a "reasonable portion" of the original work which is generally 10% of the number of pages, words or bytes on the one hand, or one chapter on the other hand, whichever is more. Please refer to section 43 of the Copyright Act for the full details of what constitutes a reasonable portion.
Other types of fair use include situations of news reporting, and criticisms or review. You will need to make a sufficient acknowledgement of the work or performance used.
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