Copyright
Overview/Purpose
In this learning module you will learn about copyright. Topics include:
- Copyright and fair use
- Creative Commons
- Public domain
- Western’s Copyright Compliance Policy
- Sample letters for requesting use of material
Why: According to the U.S. Copyright Office, copyright is “a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works.” Under the law, the individual or entity that owns the copyright of a work has the following rights: – Reproduction: Making copies – Adaptation: Changing a work in some way – Distribution: Giving the work to others – Public Performance: Playing/performing a work in front of others – Public Display:Displaying a work for others to view – Digital Transmission of Sound Recordings: Capturing audio files on the internet and burning CDs/file sharing Why – with the abundant availability of learning materials available on the internet, being aware, at a minimum, is critical for all faculty.
If you review all learning activities in this module, it will take you approximately 45 minutes.
Learning Activities
- Review competency and learning objectives.
Competency:
Examine copyright and how it applies to use of learning materials.
Learning Objectives
- Define what copyright means in higher education.
- Explore the concept of public domain.
- Examine how the internet has had an impact on copyright.
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Read the Creative Commons FAQ section titled Legal Background for an introduction to copyright, public domain, and creative commons. Creative Commons FAQ
(5 Minutes)
Learning Materials
- Watch the video:
Copyright and Fair Use. (3:39 Minutes)
Learning Materials
- To Use or Not to Use: Rules of Copyright and Fair Use (Video):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2FZLKINu8g
- Read the University of Michigan’s FAQ section, focusing attention on FAQs regarding use of materials in a learning environment. To access the the material, click on the words University of Michigan’s FAQ Section. (10 Minutes)
Learning Materials
- Using Copyrighted Material:
http://www.lib.umich.edu/copyright/using-copyrighted-material#a2
- Examine the U.S. guidelines for using copyrighted material in the classroom. Focus on pages 6 & 7, of Reproduction of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians (PDF).” (15 Minutes)
Learning Materials
- Reproduction of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians (PDF):
http://www.copyright.gov/circs/circ21.pdf
- Read the following article on using online images in a public setting. (15 Minutes)
Learning Materials
- Copyright Fair Use and How it Works for Online Images:
http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/copyright-fair-use-and-how-it-works-for-online-images/
- Examine Western Technical College’s Copyright Compliance policy.
Learning Materials
- Western Technical College Copyright Compliance Policy:
https://info.westerntc.edu/sites/Policies/Pages/D0601.aspx
- Checkout University of Michigan Copyright Basics. In particular this site, under Permission section, provides you with sample letters to request use of material.
Learning Materials
- Copyright Basics Permission:
http://guides.lib.umich.edu/copyrightbasics/permission
- Checkout Computer Hope. This site provides you with places where you can find free public domain images and pictures.
Learning Materials
- Where can I find free public domain images and pictures? http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000845.htm