If you’re friendly with the author/rightsholder, reach out!
Nice bit about copyright law being so fuzzy is rightholders can grant their own rights.
But if they claim zero, then you’ll need to do it anyway and defend your right to fair use. guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=2831... is helpful.
guides.lib.umich.edu
Research Guides: Copyright Basics: Fair Use
Provides information about U.S. copyright law, including rights of users, permission, and the public domain.
