What We Do
On each devotional page, we:
- Quote 1–2 sentences from Chambers’ published devotional (clearly labeled “Original Text from Chambers:”)
- Provide our own original analysis and commentary on each passage
- Attribute every quote to Oswald Chambers and My Utmost for His Highest
- Link directly to the original devotional on utmost.org
- Encourage readers to read the original in full
Our commentary is substantially longer than the quoted material. The original quotes exist to show readers exactly what we are analyzing — a standard and necessary practice in commentary and criticism.
Legal Basis: Section 107, U.S. Copyright Act
Fair use (17 U.S.C. § 107) permits limited use of copyrighted material for purposes including criticism, comment, teaching, and scholarship. Courts evaluate fair use using four factors:
Factor 1: Purpose & Character of Use
Our use is transformative — we add substantial original analysis, explanation, and interpretation to each passage. We are not reproducing Chambers’ work; we are creating commentary on it. This is the same category as published book reviews, academic papers, and religious education materials, many of which are produced commercially.
Factor 2: Nature of the Copyrighted Work
The devotionals are published works made freely available at utmost.org, explicitly designed for reflection and sharing. Published works available to the public receive less copyright protection than unpublished private works.
Factor 3: Amount & Substantiality Used
We quote 1–2 sentences per analysis point — a minimal portion of each devotional. We do not reproduce entire paragraphs, full devotionals, or compilations that could substitute for the original work.
Factor 4: Effect on the Market
Our commentary does not substitute for the original. We link to utmost.org on every page and encourage readers to visit. Our analysis is complementary to, not competitive with, the original devotionals. Readers of our commentary are more likely to visit utmost.org, not less.
Copyright Status of Chambers’ Works
Oswald Chambers died in 1917. My Utmost for His Highest was first published in 1927 and is actively maintained under copyright by Our Daily Bread Ministries. We respect this copyright and do not claim ownership of any portion of Chambers’ original writing.
Our Attribution Practices
On every devotional page we provide:
- A clear label: “Original Text from Chambers:” before every quoted passage
- Full attribution to Oswald Chambers and My Utmost for His Highest
- A direct link to the original devotional on utmost.org
- A footer statement encouraging readers to read the original in full
What We Do Not Do
- Republish entire devotionals
- Distribute PDFs or reproductions of original content
- Remove attribution or links to the original source
- Create products that could substitute for the original work
- Claim ownership of Chambers’ words
Our Relationship with Our Daily Bread Ministries
We view Our Daily Bread Ministries as partners in extending Oswald Chambers’ legacy, not as adversaries. If you are associated with Our Daily Bread Ministries and have concerns about our use of their published material, we invite you to contact us. We will respond promptly and work cooperatively to address any issues.
Not Legal Advice
This Fair Use Statement represents our good-faith interpretation of U.S. copyright law as applied to our specific practices. It is not legal advice. Copyright law is complex and fact-specific; if you have legal concerns, please consult a qualified attorney.