Can I use copyrighted material as long as I give credit?

In the state of Virginia, using copyrighted material without the permission of the copyright holder can be a violation of copyright law. Generally, giving credit to the copyright holder is not sufficient enough to allow you to use their material. Copyright law provides the exclusive right to the copyright owner to reproduce, distribute, perform, and display the copyrighted work, as well as to create derivatives or works based on the copyrighted work. One of the exceptions to copyright law is when the use of the material falls under fair use. Fair use allows the limited use of copyrighted material for educational, research, and commentary purposes. However, even under the fair use defense, you must still cite or give credit to the copyright holder. This citation serves as proof that the material being used is within the scope of the fair use doctrine. If you wish to use copyrighted material, it is best to seek permission from the copyright holder. There are many copyright holders who are willing to grant permission for the use of their material, as long as proper credit is given and the requested limitations are followed. Overall, it is important to remember that giving credit to the copyright holder does not always give permission to use the work. As a result, it is still recommended to seek permission from the copyright holder when using copyrighted material.

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