Copyright is a legal device that provides the creator of a work of art or literature, or a work that conveys information or ideas, the right to control how the work is used.
The U.S. Copyright Office provides a wealth of information on its copyright FAQ page. If you need more information, take a look at their extensive repertoire of knowledge.
In order for a work to be copyrighted, it must meet one of three primary characteristics according to law: fixation, originality or minimal creativity.
Fixation: A copyrighted work must be fixed in some way, whether on paper, in video, in audio, on a computer disc, or the Internet.
Originality: A copyrighted work must be the original work of the author or creator, such as a novel, illustration, or even an email.
Minimal Creativity: A copyrighted work may use portions of another work, but it must build upon the original ideas or concepts within the work.
Is There Any Information Not Protected by Copyright?
Copyright is unable to protect many different pieces of information. This makes it so that those pieces of information can be used by anyone at any time. Below are some examples of information that cannot be protected under copyright:
Facts
Names
Slogans (can be trademarked)
Government works
Works for which copyright has never been applied for or has expired
Check out the copyright facts on the website below to answer some of your questions about whether a piece of information is copyright protected or not.
Fair use refers to the allowance of limited use of a copyrighted work under certain conditions, such as educational purposes. According to fair use doctrine, under certain circumstances, the user of the material does not need to obtain permission from its creator in order to use the work.
The link to this short video, "Chipmunk Tackles Fair Use Rights" helps to illustrate the basic concept of fair use. Check it out for information and a laugh!
When your students use information from the web or other sources in their assignments, they are most certainly going to need to cite the information. This could include books, websites, pictures, videos, or music. The links below will help guide your students in how to properly cite the information in MLA or APA formats. There is also a quick link to help provide students with a guide on how to cite digital images.
Then check out the links below. These resources will allow your students to find royalty free music that they can use in their projects without the need to worry about copyright or fair use.
"Schools, the Internet, and Copyright Law" discusses the importance of the teacher, the school, and students to know and understand copyright laws. This article will help put the importance of copyright into perspective.
The University of Maryland has a comprehensive outline on both copyright and fair use. You should be able to find many of the answers to your questions by browsing the links on their website.
This is part 1 of a five part series on copyright and fair use. In this segment, the author discusses copyright and fair use, providing many useful explanations for the two terms, as well as what they mean for educators and students.
This is part 4 of Education World's five part series on copyright and fair use. The article provides good information on how copyright and fair use can be applied to new digital technologies students will use, much like the ones in this wiki.
Still Can't Find Your Answer?
If you still can't find your answer, please feel free to call or email the library, or post a concern in the discussion forum for this page. Below is a feed of the most recent questions asked by your peers about copyright and fair use. See if you have similar questions, or, if you have an answer, feel free to help respond to the questions others might have.
What Is It?
Copyright is a legal device that provides the creator of a work of art or literature, or a work that conveys information or ideas, the right to control how the work is used.
The U.S. Copyright Office provides a wealth of information on its copyright FAQ page. If you need more information, take a look at their extensive repertoire of knowledge.
U.S. Copyright Office FAQ
How Do I Know If Something Is Under Copyright?
In order for a work to be copyrighted, it must meet one of three primary characteristics according to law: fixation, originality or minimal creativity.
Is There Any Information Not Protected by Copyright?
Copyright is unable to protect many different pieces of information. This makes it so that those pieces of information can be used by anyone at any time. Below are some examples of information that cannot be protected under copyright:
Check out the copyright facts on the website below to answer some of your questions about whether a piece of information is copyright protected or not.
20 Copyright Facts
Want to Know if a piece of information is under copyright or not? Cross reference it using the website below:
Public Domain Works
What Is Fair Use?
Fair use refers to the allowance of limited use of a copyrighted work under certain conditions, such as educational purposes. According to fair use doctrine, under certain circumstances, the user of the material does not need to obtain permission from its creator in order to use the work.
The link to this short video, "Chipmunk Tackles Fair Use Rights" helps to illustrate the basic concept of fair use. Check it out for information and a laugh!
"Chipmunk Tackles Fair Use Rights"
For more information on fair use, see Standford University's Copyright and Fair Use.
Copyright and Fair Use
Helping Students Cite Information:
When your students use information from the web or other sources in their assignments, they are most certainly going to need to cite the information. This could include books, websites, pictures, videos, or music. The links below will help guide your students in how to properly cite the information in MLA or APA formats. There is also a quick link to help provide students with a guide on how to cite digital images.
MLA Format
APA Format
Citing Digital Photos
Looking For Royalty Free Music?
Then check out the links below. These resources will allow your students to find royalty free music that they can use in their projects without the need to worry about copyright or fair use.
Public Domain Music
Soundsabound
Other Helpful Links:
Schools, the Internet, and Copyright Law
"Schools, the Internet, and Copyright Law" discusses the importance of the teacher, the school, and students to know and understand copyright laws. This article will help put the importance of copyright into perspective.
University of Maryland University College: Copyright and Fair Use
The University of Maryland has a comprehensive outline on both copyright and fair use. You should be able to find many of the answers to your questions by browsing the links on their website.
The Educator's Guide to Copyright and Fair Use
This is part 1 of a five part series on copyright and fair use. In this segment, the author discusses copyright and fair use, providing many useful explanations for the two terms, as well as what they mean for educators and students.
Applying Fair Use to New Technologies
This is part 4 of Education World's five part series on copyright and fair use. The article provides good information on how copyright and fair use can be applied to new digital technologies students will use, much like the ones in this wiki.
Still Can't Find Your Answer?
If you still can't find your answer, please feel free to call or email the library, or post a concern in the discussion forum for this page. Below is a feed of the most recent questions asked by your peers about copyright and fair use. See if you have similar questions, or, if you have an answer, feel free to help respond to the questions others might have.