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Copyright

This guide is to inform you about about some basic copyright issues. It does not constitute legal advice in any manner.

Websites of Interest

Copyright Websites

 

This page provides information for those in the university community seeking both to observe copyright restrictions and to obtain copyright protections for their work. David Scott, Librarian at FLITE will attempt to answer your questions about copyright. 

Resources for instructors and students:
The following resources may be useful to those seeking information to ensure that their actions in using copyrighted materials are within the law.

 
  • Cornell University Copyright Information Center
  • Fair Use in the Electronic Age: Serving the Public Interest.
    As taken directly from the document's introduction ... "The purpose of the document is to outline the lawful uses of copyrighted works by individuals, libraries, and educational institutions in the electronic environment. It is intended to inform ongoing copyright discussions and serve as a reference document for users and librarians."
  • 10 Big Myths About Copyright
    This resource is Brad Templeton's attempt to correct 10 common myths about copyright and Fair Use.
  • University of Texas "Crash Course in Copyright"
    This resource provides answers to many common questions concerning copyright: fair use, copyright in the digital library, online presentations and copyright, etc. In addition, the site links to Georgia Harper's Copyright Tutorial. In addition to basic copyright information, this page provides a link to many publishing companies with contact information for copyright permissions. Instructors may print and complete the form and fax or mail it to the appropriate publisher.
  • The Copyright Website
    From the document's introduction: This site endeavors to provide real world, practical and relevant copyright information of interest to infonauts, netsurfers, webspinners, content providers, musicians, appropriationists, activists, infringers, outlaws, and law abiding citizens.
  • Bitlaw: A Resource on Technology Law
    BitLaw is a comprehensive Internet resource on technology and intellectual property law. In this site, you will find complete copies of the United States Patent, Copyright, and Trademark statutes, as well as the relevant regulations from the Code of Federal Regulations. BitLaw includes converted versions of the TMEP and MPEP ( office manuals created by the United States Trademark and Patent Offices, respectively). Each of these documents include links to the relevant statutes and regulations.
  • Copyright and Fair Use- Stanford University Website
    An interesting website covering the latest news on copyright and related issues. Covers a variety of issues facing faculty and students concerning copyright.
  • Copyright & Art Issues
    Compiled by Christine L. Sundt, a website that covers the arts, including museums, and education at all levels on copyright issues. Extensive links to relevant websites - including papers and presentations.
  • Cornell University Legal Information Institute
    This site contains extensive coverage of the legal basis for copyright considerations, including both national and international sources.

Other Copyright Websites

These websites are different in their outlook. The first representing the publishing interests of the Association of American Pubishers. The second site is for the Copyright Clearance Center which represents a large number of publishers including newspapers and journals. The last site offers a mechanism for locating items with fewer restrictions.  

  • Association of American Publishers
    The Association of American Publishers (AAP), with some 310 members located throughout the United States, is the principal trade association of the book publishing industry. There are links to specific publishers and information concerning copyright.
  • Copyright Clearance Center
    Formed in 1978, the CCC facilitates compliance with copyright laws by providing a "one-stop-shop" for those seeking to pay for copyright permission to use a specific work. According to the CCC, the company manages access to "over 1.75 million works and represents more than 9,600 publishers and hundreds of thousands of creators, either directly or through their representatives." If an instructor is unable to secure copyright permission from a publisher/creator, the CCC is the next logical step.
  • Creative Commons
    A place to find material that allow use of materials with less restrictions:
    Want to let people share and use your photographs, but not allow companies to sell them? Looking for access to course materials from the world’s top universities? Want to encourage readers to re-publish your blog posts, as long as they give you credit? Looking for songs that you can use and remix, royalty-free? If so, you need to learn more about Creative Commons.