Want to learn more about copyright? Contact us to set up a Copyright in the Classroom workshop.
All information provided is intended as educational and is not legal advice.
Information and educational tools on this website are offered to assist faculty, staff, and students of the University in making good decisions about the appropriate use of copyrighted materials.
The Copyright Law (Title 17 of the US Code) exists to grant certain rights to content creators. It allows them the control over copies, derivative works, public display, public performance, and transmission of their works. Copyright law attempts to balance the need to establish incentive for content creators to profit from their work, and thus have incentive to continue to create, with the additional need for society to have some rights to these works such as the right to criticize, parody, and use for education. Although we do, as educators, have specific exceptions granted to us through this law, we still have obligations to meet so that we ensure that the rights of those who created the content are protected.
Copyright covers any "original work" put in a tangible medium. This includes digital works (webpages, graphics, email, etc.), photographs, and computer software. It does not cover works of expression that are not in a tangible form (i.e. ideas, names, titles, concepts, or improvised performances that aren't recorded) and works in the public domain.
1. Is the work covered by copyright or could it be part of the Public Domain?
Ideas, facts, processes, and concepts cannot be copyrighted. Works must meet a minimal level of originality to be able to be copyrighted. Many works are in the public domain, which means they are free to be used by all. Learn more about the public domain.
2. Is there an Exception that allows me to use this work?
Take a look at the special exceptions written into the copyright law by congress to help support teaching and scholarship. These exceptions may make your use of copyrighted material legal.
3. Is the work covered by a License that would allow you to use it?
Find out more about the creative commons, databases the library purchases for your use, as well as your obligations to uphold licenses.
4. Could the use be a Fair Use?
Find out more about this important doctrine written into the copyright law to allow society certain rights to use copyrighted materials.
5. How can you obtain Permission to use a protected work?
If the work is protected by copyright and your use of the work is not covered by an exception, you can ask the copyright holder for permission to use the work. Find more information about seeking permission to use copyrighted material.