Society for Cinema and Media Studies Statement on Fair Use

The Society for Cinema and Media Studies (SCMS) strongly supports the attempt to define the fair use of visual and aural materials by film and videomakers, educators, programmers and curators, and other film and media practitioners. As a scholarly organization with an ongoing interest in advising its members and constituents on the considerable ambiguity regarding fair use practice and its possible ensuing consequences, SCMS supports the principle of clarifying the legal, ethical, and practical implications of the fair use of visual and aural materials. To this end, SCMS has constituted a committee on public policy, which has been charged with developing a stance on fair use practice, among other policy matters. SCMS seeks to work with other organizations to develop a comprehensive policy stance regarding the fair use of visualand aural materials.

Additional Fair Use Statements:

News about the April 2013 Fair Use amicus brief

DMCA Comment 2011

Best Practices for Media Studies Publishing (PDF)
(Direct inquiries to the SCMS Public Policy Committee c/o office@scmstudies.org)

Best Practices For Fair Use in Teaching (PDF)
(Direct inquiries to the SCMS Public Policy Committee c/o office@scmstudies.org)

Fair Usage Publication of Film Stills (PDF)