Effective Date: 09-09-2026
Last Updated: 09-09-2026
Connect Live News Network
Connect Live News Network (CLNN) recognises the importance of the public’s ability to access, discuss, comment upon, criticise and report matters of public interest.
As a news organisation, we regularly refer to information, statements, documents, photographs, publications and other material created by third parties. At the same time, we respect the copyright and intellectual-property rights of journalists, photographers, creators, publishers, organisations and other rights holders.
This Fair Use Policy explains how CLNN approaches the limited use of copyrighted material for legitimate purposes such as news reporting, criticism, comment, review, research, education and public-interest journalism, subject always to the applicable law.
Important: “Fair use” and “fair dealing” are legal concepts whose scope depends on the applicable jurisdiction and the particular circumstances of each use. This policy does not create a legal right to use copyrighted material merely by calling a particular use “fair use.”
1. Our Approach
Connect Live News Network seeks to balance two important principles: the public’s right to receive and discuss information and the rights of creators to control and benefit from their original work.
Copyright does not generally prevent people from discussing facts, events or ideas. However, the original expression used to communicate those facts may be protected.
Accordingly, CLNN does not treat the existence of a newsworthy subject as automatic permission to reproduce another person’s copyrighted work.
Where copyrighted material is necessary for a legitimate journalistic purpose, we assess whether its use is lawful, proportionate and editorially justified.
2. Fair Use and Fair Dealing
The terminology and legal scope of copyright exceptions differ between countries.
In some jurisdictions, the term “fair use” is used for certain permitted uses of copyrighted material. In India, copyright law contains specific statutory exceptions, commonly discussed in the context of fair dealing and other permitted uses.
CLNN operates primarily from India and seeks to comply with the Copyright Act, 1957, as amended from time to time, while also considering applicable law where our content is accessed or used internationally.
Accordingly, references to “fair use” in this policy should not be interpreted as creating a broader entitlement than applicable copyright law provides.
3. News Reporting and Public Interest
News reporting can sometimes require the limited use of copyrighted material.
For example, a news report may need to refer to a published statement, reproduce a short quotation, discuss a photograph, show a portion of a document or refer to material that is central to a public controversy.
Where such use is legally permitted, CLNN seeks to ensure that the amount and manner of reproduction are reasonably connected to the journalistic purpose.
The fact that something is newsworthy does not, by itself, mean that the entire copyrighted work may be reproduced.
4. Purpose of the Use
The purpose and character of the use are important considerations when assessing whether a particular use may be legally permitted.
Uses that may have a legitimate journalistic or public-interest purpose can include:
News reporting
Reporting and explaining matters of public importance.
Comment and criticism
Discussing, evaluating or criticising a work, statement, publication, decision or public issue.
Review
Reviewing books, films, publications, performances, reports or other creative works.
Research and education
Using limited material for legitimate research, analysis or educational purposes where permitted by law.
Public-interest reporting
Using material where limited reproduction is necessary to explain an issue of substantial public importance.
A commercial context does not automatically make a use unlawful, just as a non-commercial context does not automatically make a use lawful. The overall circumstances must be considered.
5. Amount and Proportion
There is no universal rule under which a particular number of words, percentage of an article or fixed portion of a photograph is automatically “fair.”
The appropriate amount depends on the purpose of the use and the nature of the copyrighted work.
CLNN generally seeks to use only as much copyrighted material as reasonably necessary to accomplish the legitimate editorial purpose.
For example, where a short quotation is sufficient to explain a public statement, reproducing the entire article containing that statement may not be justified.
6. Effect on the Original Work
Another important consideration is whether the use substitutes for the original work or harms the legitimate market for that work.
CLNN does not intend its reporting to serve as a replacement for another publisher’s full article, book, photograph, video, investigation or other original work.
Where readers can obtain the original work from its legitimate source, we encourage appropriate attribution and, where useful, linking to that source.
7. Facts Versus Original Expression
Facts themselves are generally treated differently from original creative expression under copyright law.
For example, the fact that a court issued an order, a government announced a policy or an event occurred may be reported independently.
However, copying another publication’s distinctive wording, structure, photographs, graphics, video or other original expression may raise copyright concerns.
CLNN’s journalists therefore seek to independently verify and report facts rather than simply reproducing another publisher’s original expression.
8. Quotations
Limited quotations may sometimes be appropriate for reporting, criticism, commentary or other legitimate purposes.
Where we quote another person’s copyrighted material, we seek to keep the quotation proportionate to the purpose for which it is being used and provide appropriate attribution.
Quotations should not be presented in a way that changes their meaning or creates a misleading impression.
Attribution is important, but attribution alone does not automatically make copying lawful.
9. Photographs
Photographs can be protected by copyright even when they depict events of significant public interest.
The fact that a photograph is available online, appears on social media or concerns a newsworthy event does not automatically mean that it can be copied and republished by CLNN.
Where a third-party photograph is used, we seek to establish an appropriate basis for its use, which may include permission, licensing, lawful quotation or another applicable legal exception.
Where no appropriate basis exists, the photograph should not be reproduced merely because it is convenient or visually useful.
10. Videos and Audio
The same principles apply to video, audio recordings, broadcasts, interviews and other audiovisual material.
A news story may sometimes require a limited excerpt from a video or recording to explain a significant public-interest event.
Where such use is permitted by applicable law, CLNN seeks to use only the portion reasonably necessary for the reporting purpose and to identify the source appropriately.
Downloading or reproducing an entire third-party video simply because it relates to a news story will not automatically qualify as fair use or fair dealing.
11. Social Media Content
Content posted publicly on social-media platforms is not automatically free from copyright protection.
A photograph, video, graphic, written post or other material uploaded to a social-media platform may continue to belong to its original creator or rights holder.
Before using social-media material in our journalism, CLNN may consider factors including the public-interest value of the material, its authenticity, the identity of the rights holder, the purpose of reproduction and whether permission or another lawful basis is available.
Where appropriate, we attribute material to its original source.
12. Government and Public Documents
CLNN may report on government notifications, court orders, parliamentary material, official statements, public records and other government or institutional documents.
The copyright status of such material can vary depending on the nature of the document, applicable law and the circumstances in which it was created or published.
The fact that a document is publicly accessible does not automatically mean that every element of it may be freely reproduced.
Where relevant, CLNN may quote, summarise or reproduce limited portions of a document for legitimate reporting purposes.
13. Court Orders and Judicial Documents
Legal reporting may require reference to or reproduction of portions of court orders, judgments, pleadings and other legal documents.
Where CLNN reproduces material from a judicial or legal document, the use should be connected to legitimate reporting, analysis or public-interest purposes and should not unnecessarily reproduce the entire copyrighted work where a limited extract is sufficient.
Readers should distinguish between the original judicial record and CLNN’s reporting or interpretation of that record.
14. Attribution
Where third-party material is lawfully used, CLNN seeks to identify the creator, publisher, photographer, organisation or other source where appropriate and reasonably possible.
Attribution helps readers understand the origin of the material and supports responsible journalism.
However, attribution is not a substitute for permission where permission is required.
Similarly, adding phrases such as “Source: Internet,” “Credit: Google” or “Image from Social Media” does not establish copyright ownership or create a legal right to reproduce the material.
15. Transformative and Editorial Use
In circumstances where the applicable law recognises transformation or other relevant considerations, a use that adds new meaning, analysis, criticism, context or information may be treated differently from a simple reproduction.
For example, incorporating a limited portion of an image into a news report that critically analyses the image may serve a different purpose from publishing the same image as a standalone photograph.
However, the fact that material is placed within a news article does not automatically make its use transformative or lawful.
Each use should be evaluated according to its circumstances and applicable law.
16. Commercial Considerations
CLNN may operate in a commercial environment and may display advertising or generate revenue from its website.
The presence of commercial activity does not automatically determine whether a particular use is lawful.
Likewise, describing material as “non-commercial” does not automatically establish fair use or fair dealing.
Our assessment focuses on the applicable legal framework, the purpose of the use, the nature and amount of material used and the effect of the use, together with other relevant circumstances.
17. We Do Not Rely on Fair Use When Permission Is Available
Where a copyrighted work is important to a story and permission or an appropriate licence can reasonably be obtained, CLNN may seek permission rather than relying on a copyright exception.
This is particularly relevant for extensive use of photographs, videos, graphics, articles, documentary material and other creative works.
Where permission is obtained, the terms of that permission will govern the use.
18. No Blanket Permission for Third Parties
This Fair Use Policy does not grant other websites, individuals, publishers, businesses or organisations permission to copy CLNN content.
A third party cannot rely on CLNN’s own use of a copyrighted work as evidence that the same work may be freely reproduced by them.
Each proposed use must be assessed independently under applicable copyright law.
19. Use of CLNN Content by Others
The same principles apply when third parties wish to use CLNN’s copyrighted content.
Readers may generally share links to CLNN articles.
However, copying substantial portions of CLNN articles, reproducing entire articles, downloading and republishing photographs or videos, or systematically extracting CLNN content may require permission or another lawful basis.
A third party should not assume that because CLNN is a news organisation, its entire content is available for unrestricted republication.
20. Fair Use Does Not Mean “Free to Copy”
One of the most common misunderstandings about copyright is that anything published online can be copied if credit is given.
That is not the approach followed by CLNN.
Publicly available does not necessarily mean copyright-free.
Giving credit does not necessarily mean permission has been obtained.
Changing a few words does not necessarily avoid infringement.
Calling something “fair use” does not automatically make it fair use.
The legality of a particular use depends on the circumstances and the applicable law.
21. Copyright Complaints
If you believe that CLNN has used your copyrighted material without an appropriate legal basis, we encourage you to contact us.
A copyright complaint should identify the original copyrighted work, identify the material published by CLNN, explain why you believe the use is infringing and provide information demonstrating your ownership or authority to act for the rights holder.
Where possible, supporting documentation should be provided.
Our editorial or legal team may review the complaint and the circumstances of the publication.
22. Review of Alleged Infringement
When a credible copyright complaint is received, CLNN may assess:
the ownership of the material;
the circumstances in which the material was obtained;
whether permission or a licence exists;
the purpose and character of the use;
the nature of the copyrighted work;
the amount used;
the relationship between the material and the subject of the news report;
the public-interest justification, if any;
whether an applicable statutory exception applies; and
whether the use causes or is likely to cause unreasonable harm to the rights holder.
Following review, CLNN may take appropriate action, which may include retaining the material, modifying it, adding or correcting attribution, replacing it, obtaining permission or removing it.
23. Good-Faith Complaints
We encourage rights holders to raise concerns directly with CLNN so that genuine copyright issues can be assessed and, where possible, resolved efficiently.
A copyright complaint should be made honestly and should contain accurate information.
Knowingly submitting false or misleading copyright claims may have legal consequences.
24. Fair Use Is Determined by Law
Nothing in this policy should be interpreted as a definitive legal determination that a particular use is or is not fair use, fair dealing or otherwise legally permitted.
Copyright law is fact-specific and may vary between jurisdictions.
Where a matter involves significant rights, commercial interests or potential litigation, rights holders and users should obtain independent legal advice from a qualified professional.
25. Applicable Law
CLNN is based in India and seeks to comply with applicable Indian copyright law, including the Copyright Act, 1957, as amended.
Where content is used, accessed or distributed in another jurisdiction, additional copyright rules may apply.
This policy does not override mandatory rights, exceptions or remedies provided by applicable law.
26. Relationship With Our Copyright Policy
This Fair Use Policy should be read together with the Copyright Policy of Connect Live News Network.
Our Copyright Policy explains ownership, permissions, republication, infringement complaints and protection of CLNN’s original content.
This Fair Use Policy specifically addresses limited and lawful use of copyrighted material for legitimate purposes.
27. Contact Us
For questions concerning fair use, fair dealing, copyright permissions, licensing or alleged infringement, please contact our Legal Department.
Connect Live News Network (CLNN)
Head Office
112/2, Main Road,
Wazirabad, Delhi – 110084
India
General Enquiries: 8800983603
Email: info@cnn-news.com
Legal Department
Office No. 6, CSC-6, DDA Market,
C-7, Sector-7, Rohini,
Delhi – 110085
India
Legal Department: 8130662080
Our Position
Connect Live News Network believes that copyright protection and responsible journalism can coexist.
We respect the work of creators and rights holders while recognising that journalism sometimes requires limited reference to or use of existing material to explain events, scrutinise claims, report matters of public importance and facilitate informed public discussion.
Our approach is therefore guided by necessity, proportionality, attribution, editorial purpose, public interest and applicable law.
We do not treat copyright exceptions as a blanket licence to copy. Every use should be considered carefully and responsibly.
Connect Live News Network