Fair Use Policy
UnderKurrent is committed to the principles of fair use as a non-profit, transformative platform dedicated to news reporting, criticism, commentary, research, and public awareness.
What Is Fair Use?
Fair use is a legal doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holder. Under U.S. law (17 U.S. Code § 107), fair use is determined by four factors:
1. Purpose and character of the use -- Is it non-profit, educational, transformative, or for commentary/criticism?
2. Nature of the copyrighted work -- Is the original work factual or creative?
3. Amount and substantiality -- How much of the work is used relative to the whole?
4. Effect on the potential market -- Does the use diminish the value or market for the original?
How UnderKurrent Adheres to Fair Use
1. Non-Profit, Transformative Purpose -- UnderKurrent is a donation-supported, non-commercial platform. Content is shared for the purposes of news reporting, criticism, commentary, and public discourse -- not for commercial exploitation. Every post exists within a transformative context: users add analysis, discussion, and community perspective.
2. News Reporting and Commentary -- Sharing excerpts from news articles, embedding source links, and discussing current events are core to our mission. These activities are protected under fair use as they serve the public interest in staying informed.
3. Criticism and Critique -- Users critique and analyze media, public statements, policies, and cultural works. This is the heart of fair use -- the ability to examine and respond to the ideas of others.
4. Teaching and Research -- UnderKurrent serves as a living archive of public discourse, useful for researchers, journalists, and educators studying media, politics, and society.
5. Raising Public Awareness -- Our mission is to elucidate truth and hold power to account. Sharing information for public awareness is a quintessential fair use purpose.
On Market Value and Bad Actors
The fourth fair use factor -- effect on potential market value -- is sometimes weaponized by bad actors to suppress criticism, reporting, and transformative use. Large platforms often take an overly cautious approach, automatically removing content rather than evaluating fair use.
UnderKurrent's non-profit status provides important protection here. We do not compete with original works in any commercial market. Our use is expressly non-commercial and transformative. However, we take good-faith concerns seriously. If a rights holder believes their work has been used in a way that exceeds fair use, they may contact us through the Help & FAQ page, and we will review the matter promptly.
Our Commitment
We believe fair use is a cornerstone of free expression, accountability, and an informed public. UnderKurrent will defend the fair use rights of its community while respecting the legitimate rights of creators. If you believe content on this site infringes your copyright, please contact us with specific details, and we will investigate in accordance with applicable law.
This page is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for specific legal questions.