Millions of people use Google’s search engine every day, but don’t realize the balance inherent in U.S. copyright law helps enable it to exist. Google strongly supports the intellectual property rights of content creators and the protection of copyright. They think creators deserve to be rewarded for their work, and support the balance of copyright law as fundamental to promoting future creativity.

While protecting the rights of creators, the Constitution and the courts place limits on the rights of copyright holders. For example, copyright laws encourage others to make use of content in limited ways without seeking anyone’s permission through the doctrine of “fair use.” By enabling journalists, scholars, and the general public to quote from and comment on others’ writings, the fair use doctrine underscores basic rights of free expression.