What is the limitation on copying poems under fair use guidelines?

The limitation on copying poems under fair use guidelines centers around the preservation of the creator's rights and the intention behind educational and transformative use. Specifically, when it comes to poetry, fair use generally allows for the copying of up to 250 words of a poem. This limit aims to ensure that while educators can use excerpts for critiques, analysis, or educational purposes, they don't undermine the market for the original work or overly diminish its value.

Poems often convey deep emotional and artistic expression in a concise manner, making even a few lines potentially significant. Therefore, the 250-word limit reflects the need to respect the integrity of the original work while still providing leeway for educational use. This balance is why the 250-word threshold is considered acceptable under fair use guidelines, promoting both the dissemination of knowledge and respect for the intellectual property rights of creators.