What does the 'amount' criterion in the fair use checklist refer to?

The 'amount' criterion in the fair use checklist refers to the proportion of the work that is used in relation to the entire work. This means that when assessing whether a use qualifies as fair use, one must consider how much of the original material is being used. For instance, using a small excerpt or a limited portion of a book or article is more likely to qualify as fair use compared to using a significant or substantial portion of it.

This criterion also takes into account the nature of the work and the purpose of the use. For example, using just a few lines from a poem might be considered fair use for educational purposes, while replicating a large section of a novel may not. The 'amount' is crucial because it helps to balance the interests of copyright holders with the users who wish to leverage the work for educational, commentary, or transformative purposes.