Copyright Law and How to Easily Follow It

It is the law and with a few easy checks you can be

sure you are following it!

Fair Use: Using copyright-protected material for educational purposes

You contacted the owner of the copyright and received permission to use it and direction about how you are allowed to use it as well as how to cite it.

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You checked with the owner and know what you can and cannot do

as well as how to cite its use in your document, project, or lesson.

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You know it is licensed via Creative Commons, know what kind of license for use it carries, and use it appropriately and according to the license.

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You checked with Creative Commons and know what you can and cannot do as well as how to cite its use in your document, project, or lesson.

Public Domain: Using non-copyright

-protected material for educational purposes

Public Domain means the material is not copyright-protected and can be used freely without permission from the former copyright owner.

Simple facts, works created by the government, Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, and an unwritten, improvisational speech are examples of

Public Domain.

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There is a difference between using the original product versus copyright-protected versions of material.

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You using a recording of yourself playing a Mozart concerto is an example of Public Domain. You using a recording of the London Symphony Orchestra playing it is NOT Public Domain and must be cited.

Citing Your Source: Steps in giving credit where it is due

Locate the copyright information and record it in the body or at the end of your document, project, or lesson. If you need help ask Mrs. Wellner in the Media Center.

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• Who owns the material? An individual, company, or entity will be named.
• What is the date? A year will be listed.
• Where did you find it? Book title, web address, or other identifying information such as a publishing company or magazine/newspaper name should be included.

Take Away: Always remember ...

Know the rights of the owner and of the user and be respectful of both.

How can the material be used? Often the allowable uses will be listed in educational materials but not on web pages, internet images and videos, or other digital and print media. If unsure of your rights as the user of the material contact the owner of the copyright or consult Mrs. Wellner in the Media Center.

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Be responsible for your choices and with your actions to protect the copyright owner and yourself.