Fair dealing is a copyright exemption under the prevailing Copyright Ordinance of Hong Kong (Cap 528) that allows some permitted acts on copyright works such as copying for these seven purposes: research, private study (section 38), criticism, review/comment, news reporting (section 39), education (section 41A), or public administration (section 54A). Besides these purposes, the dealing must be fair. In determining whether any dealing with a work is fair dealing, the court shall take into account all the circumstances of the case and, in particular:
Subject to the above conditions, copying for research and private study; criticism, review and news reporting; setting or answering examination questions; for use of published literary, dramatic, or musical works in educational establishments are permitted. For the latter, please refer to the following guidelines for more guidance on copying in schools: