What is a reason a song uploaded to YouTube might not be considered Fair Use?

A song uploaded to YouTube may not be considered Fair Use if it is used purely for entertainment. Fair Use is a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the rights holders, typically for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. When a song is used solely for entertainment, it does not align with the criteria that might qualify it for Fair Use. This lack of purpose undermines the argument for Fair Use, as entertainment generally benefits the user or creator commercially and does not typically fall under transformative or educational uses that strengthen a Fair Use claim.

In contrast, uses such as educational purposes, commentary, or association with non-profit organizations can offer stronger justifications for Fair Use, as they often serve a greater societal or educational purpose rather than merely providing enjoyment.