Can I use quotes from books or articles in my own text?
November 11, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Chloé Tressel
Dear copyright lawyer,
My name is Otto Netz and I am currently writing my own text in which I would like to use quotes from books or articles. However, I am unsure if I am legally allowed to do so. I want to avoid violating copyright law and potentially facing legal consequences.
The situation is as follows: I want to use the quotes as evidence or support for my own arguments. These are short passages from various sources that I believe fit well with my topic. The quotes are intended to support and enhance my own work.
My concern is that I may be infringing on the intellectual property of others if I use the quotes without permission. I do not want to get into legal trouble and would like to know if I am free to use the quotes or if there are certain rules or restrictions that I need to consider.
Can you please explain to me under what circumstances I am allowed to use quotes from books or articles in my own text? Are there specific requirements that need to be met in order to be legally compliant? What options do I have to ensure that I do not commit copyright infringement?
Thank you in advance for your support and advice.
Sincerely,
Otto Netz
Dear Mr. Netz,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the use of quotes from books or articles in your own text. It is commendable that you want to inform yourself in advance about possible legal consequences to avoid copyright infringement. I am happy to explain to you under which circumstances you can safely use quotes.
In general, quotes from other works are allowed if they are used within the framework of the right to quote. The right to quote allows the use of short passages from protected works, such as books or articles, when they are quoted in a new work to illustrate, comment on, or criticize it. The quotes must be clearly marked as such and must not constitute the main part of the new work.
To be legally on the safe side, you should consider the following requirements: The quotes should be short and serve the purpose of the quote, i.e., support your own argumentation. Furthermore, you should correctly indicate the source, including the author, the title of the work, and the exact page number from which the quote originates. It is important that you do not distort or take the quotes out of context.
It is advisable to check in advance whether the source from which you want to quote is copyrighted. Generally, works are protected by copyright as long as the author is alive and up to 70 years after their death. The protection period for older works may vary. If you are unsure whether you are allowed to use a specific quote, I recommend obtaining permission from the author.
Overall, it is important that you handle quotes carefully and respect the rights of the authors. If you adhere to the above-mentioned requirements and correctly mark the quotes, you should be legally on the safe side.
I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.
Best regards,
Chloé Tressel
