What Is Copyright?
Simply put, "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." Stephen Fishman, ed., the Copyright Handbook: What every Writer needs to Know, 11th ed., Berkeley, CA: nolo, 1996. the intent of copyright is to advance the progress of knowledge by giving an author of a work an economic incentive to create new works.
What Does Copyright Protect?
Copyright provides authors fairly substantial control over their work. the four basic protections are: • the right to make copies of the work. • the right to sell or otherwise distribute copies of the work. • the right to prepare new works based on the protected work. • the right to perform the protected work (such as a stage play or painting) in public.
(p.9)
What is Fair Use?
Fair use is the most significant limitation on the copyright holder's exclusive rights. there are no set guidelines that are universally accepted. instead, the individual who wants to use a copyrighted work must weigh four factors:
The purpose and character of the use:
The nature of the copyrighted work:
The amount and substantiality of the portion used:
The effect of use on the potential market for the copyrighted work:
(page 9-10)
What Are the Rules for Fair Use for Instructors?
Copying by teachers must meet the tests of brevity and spontaneity:
According to the rule, the need to copy should occur closely in time to the need to use the copies. this is called the "one semester rule." if you use something for one semester it is likely to be seen as fair use. if you use something repeatedly, it's less likely to be considered fair use. the expectation is that you will obtain permission as soon as it is feasible. using something over a period of years is not within the spirit of the guidelines.
Special works:
NOTE: it is recommended that teachers, faculty, or instructors consider both the special guidelines for instructors and take into account the four factors that are used to evaluate fair use when they are deciding what and how much of a copyrighted work to use.
What Can Be Copied?
What Should Be Avoided?
(page 10-11)
When is Permission Required?
How Do I Get Permission?
For materials to be used for Bergen Community College courses, you must obtain permission yourself.
(page 11)
The Educational Multimedia Guidelines provide guidance for the use, without permission, of portions of lawfully acquired copyrighted works.
Definitions
Time Restrictions
The fair use of copyrighted material in multimedia projects lasts for two years only. After two years, obtain permission before using the project again.
Types of Media and Permissible Amounts
When Should You Get Permission?
Copyright and Electronic Publishing
Tips for the Internet:
Bergen Community College. (2015). Faculty handbook. Retrieved from http://backup.bergen.edu/Portals/0/Docs/FacultyStaff/FacHdbk2015023b.pdf?ver=2015-12-04-212859-153