What U.S. law allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission?

The Fair Use Doctrine is the correct answer because it provides a legal framework that allows individuals to use portions of copyrighted material without obtaining permission from the copyright holder under certain circumstances. This doctrine is essential in promoting creativity and innovation, as it encourages criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research by allowing limited use of copyrighted works.

The balance between protecting the rights of creators and promoting public access to information is central to this doctrine. For instance, using a short excerpt from a book for a review or a few seconds of a song for educational purposes can often be considered fair use, provided it meets specific criteria.

In contrast, the Copyright Act outlines the broader spectrum of copyright law and protects original works, but it does not specifically delineate the exceptions under which fair use applies. Creative Commons refers to a licensing system that allows creators to set their own terms for the use of their work, but it is not a law. Trademark Law pertains to brand protection and does not cover the use of copyrighted material, making these options less relevant in the context of limited use without permission.