Can I use STM32 datasheet screenshots in a commercial course?

[Edison1]

I am creating a commercial educational course for the STM32F103C8T6 microcontroller.

My planned usage:

• Taking static screenshots of specific datasheet pages (register tables, timing diagrams, memory maps)

• NOT showing the entire datasheet — only essential pages (30-40 pages out of ~100)

• Narrating and explaining the content in my own words

• Keeping all STMicroelectronics logos and copyright notices visible

• Adding my own annotations (arrows, circles, highlights)

• Providing links to ST's website for the full datasheet

• NOT redistributing the PDF file

My questions:

1. Is this allowed under ST's copyright policy for commercial educational content?

2. Has ST ever taken action against any instructors for this type of usage?

3. Do I need written permission from ST, or is this considered fair use?

Example of similar usage (for reference):

• Hayducate learning website 

Thank you for your guidance.

[Dazed_N_Confused]

https://www.st.com/content/st_com/en/about/terms-of-use.html

[Andrew Neil]

IANAL, but I think that would be covered by the general Copyright concept of "Fair Dealing" or "Fair Use":

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_use

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/exceptions-to-copyright#fair-dealing

[Dazed_N_Confused]

I took the time to glance over what ya'll Brits say about it and it does not cover commercial. 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/375951/Education_and_Teaching.pdf 

And even then it's country dependant.

Though I'm not a lawyer.  :)

[Peter BENSCH]

@Edison1 

I am also not a lawyer, but I am nevertheless of the opinion that you may use the documents for teaching purposes - after all, anyone can also download them online.

However, for several reasons I would recommend a more modern derivative than this Methuselah:

• the STM32F103C8T6 is still based on the ancient and very first Cortex-M3, which not only has no FPU unit, but also a number of quirks, which is why it now practically plays no role for new projects at all (there have been no new Cortex-M3 derivatives for years, and there will be none)
• the STM32F103C8T6 is illegally cloned by many Asian companies, often advertising compatibility that cannot actually be guaranteed. Here in the community, questions or pleas for help from frustrated users keep appearing who are not aware that they are using a fake. This fake is indeed cheap - but the rule proves true again and again: buy cheap, buy twice. Namely, then buy the original.
• very often, complaints also appear in the community from users who, alongside the (apparently) cheap STM32F103C8T6, have also bought one of the ST-LINK/V2 devices in colourful tin boxes and (perhaps) believe they have made a good deal. Unfortunately, these colourful tin boxes are not only illegal clones with illegal firmware, but are generally based on the above-mentioned clones. Unfortunately, these clones do not work with STMicroelectronics’ software, so the users are then frustrated - yet this frustration can be completely avoided by buying original devices from STMicroelectronics through an authorised distributor and not from seemingly inexpensive platforms such as eBay, Alibaba, etc.

You should consider which key parameters are important for the teaching objective, for example:

• STM32 with the lowest purchase price
• STM32 with the simplest design
• STM32 for ultra-low-current applications such as battery-powered or, for example, solar-powered systems
• STM32 with the highest security standards
• STM32 with the highest computing performance
• STM32 with few/many GPIOs, the smallest package, the most analogue functions or interfaces, etc.

That is only a short list of the possibilities. For every requirement profile there is a separate family, each with many family members. If you are looking for the cheapest STM32, you can use the STM32C0, which also has very low-cost derivatives available, for example in packages such as SO-8, TSSOP-20 or LQFP-32.

Hope that helps?

Regards
/Peter