When It Comes To Quotes, How Much Is Too Much?

Say you’re writing a blog post, and you want to quote from an article you found online. How much of that article can you include in your post?

The first thing to consider is copyright law.

As a general rule, you can’t publish someone else’s writing on your blog without permission from the author. Certain uses of other people’s writing is permitted, however, under the “fair use doctrine.”

Like most things relating to the law, the fair use doctrine is complicated. But the idea behind the doctrine is to protect things like criticism, comment, reporting, and teaching. So short quotations are usually fair use, not a violation of copyright law.
There’s no precise rule that says exactly how short your quotation has to be in order to be fair use – it’s determined on a case-by-case basis. If you’re not sure, it’s best to err on the side of caution. Ask the author for permission to use the quote in your post.

Which brings me to the second thing you should consider: blogger etiquette.

When you’re thinking of quoting someone else’s work in your post, the law isn’t the only thing to consider. There are certain unofficial “rules” of the blogosphere that come into play.

Here are a few of those rules relating to quotations:

1. If you’re using a quote from someone else, say so. Provide the name of the person you’re quoting, with a link to the source (if possible).
2. Never quote an entire post or article without permission from the author. It’s against the law, and it’s really bad manners.
3. If you want to be really polite, e-mail the author of your quotation and ask for permission.
4. LINK BACK! Sorry for the all caps but this seems to be the most important rule of all. If you’re going to use a quote from another website, link back to that site (preferably using the permalink to the particular page where you found the content). It’s only fair, and it’s the best way to be respectful of your source.

One last piece of advice: If what you’re doing feels wrong, it probably is. Don’t risk legal penalties and your own reputation just for the sake of some content. It’s not worth it.

Traci Feit Love is a freelance writer, small business consultant, and entrepreneur.  A Harvard Law School graduate and former trial attorney, Traci left the practice of law so she could work from home and spend more time with her family.  She writes about her experiences at The Breadwinner Mom.

Follow Traci on Twitter: @TraciLove