: Using dictionary examples in the book - is it fair use? I am writing a book on English language. Which is bilingual book. So I would need some examples from dictionary. So can I use these

Dictionary examples will take the form of either quotations from sources that have previously used that word. Or it will be a sentence that was constructed by the dictionary writer.

So if you look for the word 'Example' in the Oxford English Dictionary, one of the example phrases is

1803 Pic Nic No. 4. 5 They must be made an example of.

This is a quote from the Charles Dickens (et. al.) collection called Pic Nic, written in 1803, hence out of copyright and free to be used wherever you wish it.

If you look at the Google definition of Example you get

it is important that parents should set an example

Since there is no attribution to this, then you are subject to the copyright of the owner. In this case Google, however there isn't an easily findable statement of their copyright policy. Which in your case would mean you would need to seek permission to use it.

The alternative is to create your own usage. Simply think of a short sentence that would put that word into context.

This is an example of a sentence.

As for whether it is fair use...

In Folsom v. Marsh Judge Story said (in an opinion that ultimately became the fair use law)

[A] reviewer may fairly cite largely from the original work, if his design be really and truly to use the passages for the purposes of fair and reasonable criticism. On the other hand, it is as clear, that if he thus cites the most important parts of the work, with a view, not to criticize, but to supersede the use of the original work, and substitute the review for it, such a use will be deemed in law a piracy

If your aim was to criticise or otherwise comment on the examples, then your usage would fall under fair use. However, from what you say I can't imagine how it wouldn't be considered simply superseding the original work.

In essence you are saying 'I like that example, I'm going to use that too' without adding anything to the public knowledge.

That you are looking to publish a book using those quotes, and hence create commercial benefit would certainly not help your case.

Finally, fair use is a concept that only applies in the US. Meaning you could quite easily be taken to court for copyright infringement in another country (that your book was sold in)

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