Final answer:
Fair use is an exception to copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission. Minaj argued in a copyright infringement case that her use of the copyrighted material was protected by fair use.
Step-by-step explanation:
Copyright infringement occurs when someone uses someone else's original work, such as music or literature, without permission. The fair use doctrine is an exception to copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission, typically for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, or education. In the case mentioned where Minaj argued fair use, there may be specific factors that made her believe her use of the copyrighted material was protected, such as the transformative nature of her work or the amount and substantiality of the portion used.