Excerpts and fair use for review

muddy_shoes · 02-03-2011, 03:39 AM

My understanding is that using excerpt from a novel or short story in a review comes under fair use, providing that the excerpts are reasonable in size and content.

I'm wondering whether this would extend to providing excerpts for other people to review. I'm thinking of a "blind taste test" sort of affair where people can perhaps read the first page and give an opinion. Attribution would be given, along with links to purchase information, either on demand or after the excerpt has been rated.

Personally, I wouldn't mind this sort of thing, but I'm wondering if I'm just more liberal than others. Would it be an issue in law or be seen as inappropriate by many people in publishing? What if they are excerpts that are already available in existing samples? I know this doesn't change the copyright issues, but does it affect the view of potential damaging use?

WriteKnight · 02-05-2011, 10:56 PM

No one here is going to give you legal advice. Especially not the attorneys. Using an excerpt in a review GENERALLY isn't a problem but it can be. Excerpting the surprise end of a novel can adversely affect sales for instance - and might be viewed as 'actionable' by the courts.

In short - talk to an IP attorney and give him/her your full plan of action.

02-03-2011, 03:39 AM	#1
muddy_shoes practical experience, FTW Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 165	Excerpts and fair use for review My understanding is that using excerpt from a novel or short story in a review comes under fair use, providing that the excerpts are reasonable in size and content. I'm wondering whether this would extend to providing excerpts for other people to review. I'm thinking of a "blind taste test" sort of affair where people can perhaps read the first page and give an opinion. Attribution would be given, along with links to purchase information, either on demand or after the excerpt has been rated. Personally, I wouldn't mind this sort of thing, but I'm wondering if I'm just more liberal than others. Would it be an issue in law or be seen as inappropriate by many people in publishing? What if they are excerpts that are already available in existing samples? I know this doesn't change the copyright issues, but does it affect the view of potential damaging use?

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02-05-2011, 10:56 PM	#2
WriteKnight Arranger Of Disorder Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: 30,000 light years from Galactic Central Point. Posts: 1,689	No one here is going to give you legal advice. Especially not the attorneys. Using an excerpt in a review GENERALLY isn't a problem but it can be. Excerpting the surprise end of a novel can adversely affect sales for instance - and might be viewed as 'actionable' by the courts. In short - talk to an IP attorney and give him/her your full plan of action.