How do I know if I am covered under fair use?

"Fair use" is a concept in copyright law that certain uses of copyrighted works may not require a license. 

A determination of whether a use falls within the fair use doctrine requires a complex balancing of multiple factors. There is no straightforward test to determine if a use is “fair use.”

You should consult with legal counsel before relying on the fair use doctrine to use a copyrighted work.  HFA is unable to advise users as to whether the use falls within the fair use doctrine.

For more information, you may wish to visit the U.S. Copyright Office's website at www.copyright.gov. The Copyright Office maintains a "Fair Use Index". Please note, these websites are not maintained by HFA, and HFA cannot be held responsible for their content.

How to Find Publisher Contact Information

If you need to reach out to a music publisher directly, the following online databases can help you locate publisher contact information:

• ASCAP
• BMI
• SESAC
• U.S. Copyright Office
• The MLC's Public Search