distance learning and fair use

A distance learning class (web delivered, password protected) wishes to stream a pair of television commercials to a marketing class to demonstrate advertising style. The commercials are between 15 and 30 seconds in length. The instructor contacted one of the companies for permission. They denied permission because they stated that the actors must be paid for this use.

Can we apply fair use to this situation? Using excerpts from video this short would be meaningless.

Thanks for any information.

Carol Simpson, Ed.D.
University of North Texas School of Library & Information Sciences Denton, Texas
csimpson[_at_]lis.admin.unt.edu
940-565-2445 (voice)
940-565-3101 (fax) Received on Thu Jul 29 1999 - 16:23:28 GMT