The Center for Social Media, in connection with other professional associations, has created the “Documentary Filmmakers’ Statement of Best Practices in Fair Use”.  The Statement attempts to advise documentarians on the theory and practice of fair use.  Fair use is a doctrine in copyright law that allows creators to use copyright material without the permission of the copyright owner.  A copy of the “Statement” can be found here:

http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/statement_of_best_practices_in_fair_use/

–Matt