What type of material does the Fair Use policy primarily protect?

The Fair Use policy primarily protects copyrighted material. It allows for limited use of copyrighted works without seeking permission from the copyright holder. This is particularly important in educational settings, where teachers and librarians may need to utilize excerpts of books, articles, and other media for purposes such as criticism, commentary, teaching, scholarship, or research. Fair Use is determined by specific factors, including the purpose of use, the nature of the copyrighted work, the amount used in relation to the whole, and the effect of the use on the market for the original work. By focusing on copyrighted material, Fair Use aims to balance the rights of creators with the public's right to access information and engage with cultural works.