COPYRIGHT LAWS FOR TEACHERS

By: Shadra Sparling

MEDT 7484

July 2010

COPYRIGHT LAWS As teachers, it is imperative that we

adhere to copyright laws. Illegally copying someone else’s work can be punishable by fines or jail time.

THINGS WE COPY…. Printed Material Multimedia Text Video Illustrations/Photographs Music Computer Software Internet Television Film

PRINTED MATERIAL You can make multiple copies for

classroom use (unless it states you can’t copy it).

Is NOT a substitute for buying. No more than one copy per student. Consumables can’t be copied. Copies can be made only from legally

acquired originals. Librarians can make up to three copies

for replacement.

MULTIMEDIA TEXT

Teachers and students may incorporate text into multimedia presentations.

Teachers may use text for two years, then must acquire permission from author.

Students may keep presentations in a portfolio for their entire life.

VIDEO Teachers may use these multiple times. Can be copied for replacement. Videos are to be legitimately acquired

(not copied offline or illegally copied) Instructional use only. Students may use portions of legally

acquired copyrighted works in multimedia presentations.

ILLUSTRATIONS/PHOTOGRAPHS Single works may be used. Not more than 5 images to be used from

a single artist/photographer. Collections may be copyrighted so

check before copying.

MUSIC Up to 10% of a copyrighted musical

composition can be played, reproduced, or performed, for educational purposes only.

Students can use www.freeplaymusic.com

COMPUTER SOFTWARE Purchased and licensed software may be

installed on multiple machines. The number of machines is not to exceed the number of licensed software. The number of users must not exceed the number of licensed software.

It may be copied to be replaced if lost or stolen.

Software can be distributed to users via a network.

INTERNET Images may be downloaded for projects. Sound files may be downloaded for

projects as long as they meet portion requirements (no more than 10%).

Images and sound files may not be reposted to internet without permission.

TELEVISION Live “off air” broadcasts may be used

for instructional purposes. (ABC, NBC,PBS)

Tapes made from broadcasts may be used for instructional purposes.

If you like a tape and want to keep it for more than three years, buy it!

For cable programs (CNN,MTV,HBO) check out http://www.ciconline.org/main.cfm

as they vary.

FILM Must be films or filmstrips that you

personally own. May copy a small portion of a single

filmstrip for educational purposes only.

FAIR USE Fair use is a doctrine in

United States copyright law that allows limited use of copyrighted material without requiring permission from the rights holders, such as for commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching or scholarship. It provides for the legal, non-licensed citation or incorporation of copyrighted material in another author's work under a four-factor balancing test.

FOLLOW THESE RULES AND YOU WILL BE FINE!

Happy Copying!

REFERENCES:

HTTP://WWW.EDU-CYBERPG.COM/PDF/COPYRIGH.PDF

HTTP://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/FAIR_USE