Copyright: Copyright Basics for Faculty

When using copyrighted materials:

• Be informed; lack of awareness about copyright does not constitute non-liability
• Model appropriate use for students
• Obtain permission; simply acknowledging the source is not a substitute
   

For your own creative output:

• Know who holds the copyright
• Alert potential users about your expectations for use
• Don’t give away your rights; there is room for negotiation with publishers
• Use tools such as Creative Commons licenses to define how your work may be used by others

Limit course material to a:

• Single chapter from a book
• Single article from a journal issue
• Chart, graph, or illustration from a single source

Be sure to:

• Include the copyright notice on the original
• Cite the source of the material
• Obtain permission

Remember that:

• Copies should not replace or substitute for anthologies, compilations or collective works
• No copies should be provided from consumable works
• Copies shall not substitute for the purchase of books or periodicals
• Only the actual cost of photocopying/reproduction can be collected

Four factors of fair use:

• Purpose and character of the use
• Nature of the copyrighted work
• Amount and substantiality of the portion used
• Effect of the use on the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work

The US Copyright Office provides a concise overview of the doctrine of fair use.