Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines for Teachers
Teachers in the classroom make the decisions closest to the field of instruction and it is teachers that have been the greatest rights---rights that even their districts do not have. This Copyright Chart was designed to inform teachers of what they may do under the law.
CLASSROOM COPYRIGHT CHART |
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Medium |
What You Can Do |
The Fine Print |
Printed Material |
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Teachers may make multiple copies for classroom use. Students may incorporate text in multimedia projects. Teachers may incorporate into multimedia for teaching courses. |
One copy per student. Usage must be: At the "instance and inspiration of a single teacher" and when the time frame doesn't allow enough time for asking permission. Nine instances per class per term (newspapers can be used more often). Don't create anthologies. "Consumables" can't be copied. Copying can't be substitute for buying. Copies may be made only from legally acquired originals. Teachers may keep multimedia for two years, after that permission is required. Students may keep in portfolio for life. |
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A librarian may make up to three copies "solely for the purpose of replacement of a copy that is damaged, deteriorating, lost or stolen" |
The library must first determine that after "reasonable investigation that copy...cannot be obtained at a fair price" or that the format is obsolete. |
Video |
What You Can Do |
The Fine Print |
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Teachers may use these materials in the classroom without restrictions of length, percentage, or multiple use May be copied for archival purposes or to replace lost, damaged, or stolen copies. |
The material must legitimately acquired. It must be used in a classroom or similar place "dedicated to face-to-face instruction". Not for use as entertainment or reward. The use should be instructional. The place should be a non-profit educational institution. If replacements are unavailable at a fair price or are available only in obsolete formats (e.g., betamax videos). |
Video ("Motion Media") for Use in Multimedia Projects |
What You Can Do |
The Fine Print |
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Students "may use portions of lawfully acquired copyrighted works in their academic multimedia", defined as 10% or three minutes (whichever is less) of "motion media" |
"Proper attribution and credit must be noted for all copyrighted works included in multimedia, including those prepared under fair use."Tina Ivany, UC San Diego 12/08/95 |
Video for Integration into Video Projects |
What You Can Do |
The Fine Print |
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Students "may use portions of lawfully acquired copyrighted works in their academic multimedia" |
The material must legitimately acquired (a legal copy, not bootleg or home recording). |
Illustrations and Photographs |
What You Can Do |
The Fine Print |
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Single works may be used in their entirety but not more than 5 images by an artist or photographer. From a collection, not more than 15 images or 10%, whichever is less. |
Older illustrations may be in the public domain, but the collection may be copyrighted. |
Music for Integration into Multimedia / Video Projects |
What You Can Do |
The Fine Print |
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Up to 10% of a copyrighted musical composition may be reproduced, performed and displayed as part of a multimedia program produced by an educator or student for educational purposes. |
Authorities site a maximum length of 30 seconds. See notes by congressman below. |
Computer Software |
What You Can Do |
The Fine Print |
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Software may be lent by the library. Software may be installed at home and at school. Software may be installed on multiple machines. Software may be copied for archival use to replace lost, damaged, stolen, copies. Software can be distributed to users via a network. Librarians may make archival copies. |
Take aggressive action to monitor that copying is not taking place (for retention). Only one machine at a time may use the program. The number of machines being used must never exceed the number of licensed. If unavailable at fair price or is an obsolete format. The number of simultaneous users must not exceed the number of licenses. A network license may be required for multiple users. |
Internet |
What You Can Do |
The Fine Print |
· Internet connections · World Wide Web |
Images may be downloaded for student projects.§§ Sound files may be downloaded for use in projects (see portion restrictions above) §§ Video may be used in multimedia projects |
Resources from the web may not be reposted onto the Internet without permission.§§ Links to legitimate resources can be posted.§§ Downloaded resources must be legitemately acquired by the website. |
Television / Cable Channels |
What You Can Do |
The Fine Print |
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Broadcasts or tapes made from broadcasts may be used for instruction. Cable channel programs may be used with permission. Many programs may be retained for years --depending on the program. For reference, use Cable in the Classroom. |
To retain tapes, minimum rights allow for 10 school days. Enlightened rights holders often allow for much more. PBS series Reading Rainbow offers three year retention rights, for example. If you like it enough to keep it more than three years, buy it! The guidelines for television programs were defined by Congress before cable television was a factor. Cable programs are not technically covered by the same guidelines as broadcast television. |
Film or Filmstrip |
What You Can Do |
The Fine Print |
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"Teachers may duplicate a single copy of a small portion...for teaching purposes" |
These must be films or filmstrips that you own. |
Return for updates to: |
hall@cccd.edu |
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