Can you copy copyrighted material for personal use?
Asked by: Dr. Mable Padberg III | Last update: January 29, 2026Score: 4.8/5 (55 votes)
You generally need permission to copy copyrighted material, but making a single copy for private study, scholarship, research, criticism, or comment might fall under fair use, a legal exception allowing limited personal use without permission, especially if it's for non-commercial purposes and doesn't harm the original work's market. The safest approach is always to get explicit permission from the copyright holder, as "personal use" isn't a blanket legal defense, but making a single, private copy of a chapter for study is often permissible under fair use guidelines.
Can you use copyrighted material for personal use?
If you use a copyrighted work without authorization, the owner may be entitled to bring an infringement action against you. There are circumstances under the fair use doctrine where a quote or a sample may be used without permission.
Can you photocopy copyrighted material?
Under the "fair use" provision of the Copyright Act of 1976, you are permitted to photocopy and distribute portions of copyrighted works for educational use without securing permission from the owner or paying royalties.
Can you make trademarked items for personal use?
You may use a trademarked logo on apparel for personal use if the usage is not commercial, which means you can't sell or distribute the shirt. However, it's best to secure permission from the trademark owner to avoid potential legal issues.
Can you use copyrighted material if you don't make money?
No. Using someone else's work without permission is copyright infringement, whether you make money from it or not. Such use might, however, influence whether what you did is considered “fair use” by a court, or how much money the court awards in damages.
How to LEGALLY Use a Copyrighted Photo
Is it illegal to drill a hole in a penny?
It is a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 331 to alter a U.S. or foreign coin with the intent to defraud. The United States Mint cannot issue interpretations of criminal statutes such as this, which fall within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Justice.
What is the 3 month rule for copyright?
The "copyright 3 month rule" refers to a key deadline for U.S. copyright registration: you must register your work within three months of its first publication (or before infringement begins) to be eligible to claim statutory damages and attorney's fees in a copyright infringement lawsuit, which can be crucial for remedies beyond just an injunction. Failing to meet this deadline means you generally can only sue for actual damages (harder to prove) if infringement occurs, but registration is still vital for other benefits and to sue at all, notes Donahue Fitzgerald LLP and Cotman IP.
Can I put a Nike logo on a shirt for personal use?
Don't use professional sports logos. Professional sports logos are trademarked and, therefore, cannot be used in custom apparel. Using sports logos without permission from the trademark owner might lead to a copyright and trademark infringement lawsuit.
Is it better to get a TM or a copyright?
Neither trademark (TM) nor copyright is inherently "better"; they protect different things, so the best choice depends on what you're shielding: trademarks protect brand identifiers (logos, names, slogans) for infinite duration with use, preventing consumer confusion, while copyrights protect original creative works (books, art, music, code) for life plus 70 years, preventing unauthorized copying. Often, you need both, like a trademark for your company logo and copyright for the artwork within that logo, to fully protect your brand and creative assets.
What are the three things not protected by copyright?
Ideas, facts, and concepts are not protected by copyright law. Although they are not protectable by copyright, the expression of those ideas, facts, and concepts are protectable, such as in a description, explanation, or illustration or as a database of facts.
Why do books have 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1?
The numbers 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on a book's copyright page form a "printer's key," showing the print run; the lowest number indicates the printing (e.g., '1' means first printing), allowing publishers to track printings and make corrections without re-typesetting the entire page by simply removing the lowest number for each new run, a system dating from traditional printing presses.
Can you screenshot copyrighted material?
Screenshots Fall Under Copyright Law
Even if it's for personal use, if you are aware that the content is illegal and you use it, it constitutes copyright infringement, so caution is necessary. Taking illegal screenshots could lead to claims for damages from copyright holders.
What documents are illegal to photocopy?
Restrictions on scanning or copying
- Paper money.
- Money orders.
- Certificates of deposit.
- Postage stamps (canceled or uncanceled)
- Identifying badges or insignias.
- Selective service or draft papers.
- Checks or drafts issued by governmental agencies.
- Motor vehicle licenses and certificates of title.
What are the four fair use exceptions to copyright?
Fair use of copyrighted works, as stated in US copyright law, “for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.”
What images can I use without permission?
You can use images without permission if they are in the public domain, released under a permissive Creative Commons (CC) license, generated by AI, or if your use qualifies as fair use (like for criticism, news, or education), but the safest bet is using sites like Unsplash, Pixabay, and Pexels for royalty-free stock photos. Always check the specific license or terms for any image, even on free sites, as conditions can vary.
Is personal use under fair use?
As a general matter, educational, nonprofit, and personal uses are favored as fair uses. Making a commercial use of a work typically weighs against fair use, but a commercial use does not automatically defeat a fair use claim. uses the original work for a new and different purpose.
Can someone steal my logo if it's not trademarked?
If your logo is registered with the USPTO (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office), you have a strong legal foundation to stop others from using it. But even without registration, you may still have common law rights if you've been using the logo consistently in commerce.
What is stronger, TM or R?
Legal Protection: The ® symbol provides stronger legal protection than ™. It gives you the right to sue for trademark infringement if someone else tries to use your registered trademark without permission.
Is the name Cinderella copyrighted?
It is in the public domain, and is not copyrighted. Add for trademark, Disney has done much more with Cinderella than just one movies and therefore asserts trademark rights.
How to avoid copyright infringement with T-shirts?
To avoid t-shirt copyright infringement, use only original designs, public domain art, or images with explicit licenses (like Creative Commons); always assume content found online is protected; avoid branded logos, characters, and celebrity likenesses; and conduct reverse image searches to verify ownership, understanding that even slight alterations usually don't prevent infringement.
Can I put my company logo on a Carhartt shirt?
At Carhartt Company Gear™, we make it easy to add your logo to durable Carhartt workwear.
What can I legally put on a shirt?
Legally, you can put your original creations, public domain works, common phrases, national symbols, and transformative parodies/commentary on a shirt, but avoid copyrighted characters, logos, lyrics, or celebrity likenesses unless you have a license. Focus on unique designs, facts, or items where copyright/trademark protection has expired for safe commercial use, and always verify licensing for any royalty-free images.
What is the new rule of copyright?
The Copyright (Amendment) Rules, 2025 mark an important shift in the way copyright licensing and royalty payments will function in India. The central idea behind the amendment is straightforward: payments made for using copyrighted works must move into a fully digital, traceable system.
What happens if I don't register my copyright?
Unregistered copyrights still offer protections, and an owner can still take action against infringement. However, the owner would be limited to actual damages, which may be more difficult to prove. In addition, without registration, it may be harder for an individual to prove their ownership in court.
What are the 5 key elements of copyright?
This overview will introduce you to copyright through five key concepts: Work, Ownership, Infringement, Exceptions, and Balance.