Copyright issues - using news clips in a documentary

[The Magic Hoof]

This may not be the right forum so move the thread if necessary.

There are a lot of clips of the 2012 debates floating around that were uploaded to Youtube, both in its raw form and for humor and criticism (Alex Jones, those Bad Lip Reading vids, etc). I have a documentary short coming up (it won't be sold) and I really want to use some clips from the past debates for criticism, not unlike what every news station does or even what Jon Stewart does.

I've looked into Fair Use and it SEEMS like I'm covered but I want to be safe. I see others doing similar stuff (the Ron Paul documentary) but what I'm doing is a little different because I don't have anything good to say

What do you guys think?

 

[FrankRep]

Ask a lawyer.

 

[The Magic Hoof]

Yeah that's the obvious answer but I'm asking here.

 

[Paulbot99]

I'd ask a lawyer to know for certain, but I think it's okay.

However, the justice system has a reputation for being rather unreasonable.

 

[NorthCarolinaLiberty]

Site below is maintained by an attorney. He does consultations for what he describes as a small fee. He's in CO.


http://fairusetube.org/guide-to-youtube-removals/3-deciding-if-video-is-fair-use

 

[heavenlyboy34]

It's Fair Use if you're not making a profit/using it for education. But an attorney will be better able to assess your specific case.

 

[Matt Collins]

Look at the US Copyright Office Website. I believe they explain it quite clearly there...