Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows for limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holder. It provides an exception to the exclusive rights granted by copyright law, allowing for uses such as commentary, criticism, news reporting, research and teaching, among others. The fair use provision aims to balance the interests of creators in their work with the public interest in accessing and using that information. Determining whether a particular use is considered fair or not depends on several factors, including the nature of the material used, the amount taken, the effect on the market for the original work, and the purpose and character of the use. Ultimately, fair use is intended to promote creativity and free expression by allowing for the lawful use of copyrighted materials without permission or payment when such uses are considered appropriate under the circumstances.