What is one of the main purposes of the Fair Use Doctrine?

The Fair Use Doctrine serves a significant purpose in balancing the rights of copyright holders with the public's interest in accessing and using creative works. One of the main purposes is to allow criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research on copyrighted materials. This means individuals are permitted to use portions of a copyrighted work without permission under certain conditions, particularly when the use is transformative, educational, or for public benefit. This aspect supports freedom of expression and encourages creativity and discourse by enabling individuals and scholars to reference and critique existing works without the risk of legal repercussions.

In contrast, limiting the distribution of copyrighted works and promoting sales are contrary to the intent of Fair Use, which aims to enhance accessibility and public discourse rather than restrict it. Protecting the interests of patent holders also falls outside the Fair Use Doctrine, as it specifically pertains to copyright law rather than patents, which are governed by entirely different rules and regulations. Thus, allowing criticism and comment on copyrighted works makes the Fair Use Doctrine a critical component in the landscape of intellectual property rights.