Copyright Copyright GuidelinesGuidelines

An In-service for Middle An In-service for Middle

School TeachersSchool Teachers

By Bethany WorrellBy Bethany Worrell

Help!!Help!!

Have you ever been confused about a Have you ever been confused about a resource’s copyright? Can you copy it? Is resource’s copyright? Can you copy it? Is it okay?it okay?

Here are a few “Do’s” and “Don’ts” of Here are a few “Do’s” and “Don’ts” of following copyright guidelines in today’s following copyright guidelines in today’s society.society.

InternetInternetDo:Do:

Download images for student projects Download images for student projects and lessons.and lessons.

Download sound files and video for use Download sound files and video for use in multimedia projects.in multimedia projects.

Don’t:Don’t: Repost images onto the Internet without Repost images onto the Internet without

permission. (You can post the link to the permission. (You can post the link to the legitimate image)legitimate image)

Print MaterialsPrint Materials (Books, periodicals, pamphlets, newspapers, etc.)(Books, periodicals, pamphlets, newspapers, etc.)

Do:Do: Make multiple copies for classroom use.Make multiple copies for classroom use. Copy a chart, graph, cartoon, or picture.Copy a chart, graph, cartoon, or picture.

Multiple Copies Limited:Multiple Copies Limited: Poems: less than 250 wordsPoems: less than 250 words Article, story, or essay: less than 2,500 words.Article, story, or essay: less than 2,500 words.

Don’t:Don’t: Copy anthologies, compilations, & collective works.Copy anthologies, compilations, & collective works.

MusicMusic(Records, cassettes, CDs, audio clips)(Records, cassettes, CDs, audio clips)

Do:Do: Up to 10% of a copyright composition Up to 10% of a copyright composition

can be used as part of a multimedia can be used as part of a multimedia program.program.

Don’t:Don’t: Make any copies without an educational Make any copies without an educational

purpose.purpose.

CD-ROMsCD-ROMs

Do:Do: To have multiple users or multiple copies To have multiple users or multiple copies

of the disc at multiple workstations, of the disc at multiple workstations, obtain a site or network licenseobtain a site or network license

Interesting Fact:Interesting Fact:Unlike other formats, the physical CD-ROM Unlike other formats, the physical CD-ROM

is purchased, but it is the actual content is purchased, but it is the actual content that is licensed for usethat is licensed for use

SoftwareSoftware

Do:Do: Obtain a site license agreement to use it Obtain a site license agreement to use it

at more than one computer.at more than one computer. Install on multiple machinesInstall on multiple machines

Don’t:Don’t: Use the backup copy at the same time as Use the backup copy at the same time as

the original.the original.

VideoVideo(for viewing)(for viewing)

Do:Do: Use DVDs in face-to-face instruction if it Use DVDs in face-to-face instruction if it

is part of the curriculum.is part of the curriculum. Make copies for archival purposes.Make copies for archival purposes.

Don’t:Don’t: Use for entertainment or reward.Use for entertainment or reward.

VideoVideo(for integration into multimedia (for integration into multimedia

projects)projects)

Do:Do: Allow students to use portions as long as Allow students to use portions as long as

they are 10 percent of the whole or 3 they are 10 percent of the whole or 3 minutes.minutes.

E-BooksE-Books

Do:Do: Sign a licensing agreement for e-books Sign a licensing agreement for e-books

that are purchased.that are purchased.

Don’t:Don’t: Break the copyright restrictions stated in Break the copyright restrictions stated in

the agreement.the agreement.

E-JournalsE-Journals

Do:Do: Allow students to make one copy of an Allow students to make one copy of an

article for research.article for research.

Don’t:Don’t: Make multiple copies for classroom use Make multiple copies for classroom use

unless copyright permission from the unless copyright permission from the publisher is obtained.publisher is obtained.

Graphic MaterialsGraphic Materials(Posters, graphs, cartoons, drawings, etc.)(Posters, graphs, cartoons, drawings, etc.)

Do:Do: Copy graphic materials in periodicals: Copy graphic materials in periodicals:

one chart, graph, diagram, drawing, one chart, graph, diagram, drawing, cartoon, or picture per periodical.cartoon, or picture per periodical.

Don’t:Don’t: Copy study prints or art prints.Copy study prints or art prints.

Illustrations & Illustrations & PhotographsPhotographs

Don’t:Don’t: Use more than 5 images by a single Use more than 5 images by a single

artist.artist. Use more than 15 images or 10 percent Use more than 15 images or 10 percent

from a collection.from a collection.

Newspapers & Newspapers & PeriodicalsPeriodicals

Do:Do: Copy a chart, graph, diagram, cartoon, Copy a chart, graph, diagram, cartoon,

picture, or article for instructional use.picture, or article for instructional use.Don’t Forget:Don’t Forget:

Word limits: 250 words for poetry and Word limits: 250 words for poetry and 2,500 words for articles.2,500 words for articles.

Creation of anthologies, compilations, & Creation of anthologies, compilations, & collective works is a no-no!collective works is a no-no!

Online DatabasesOnline Databases

Do:Do:

Consult license agreements for fair use Consult license agreements for fair use policy.policy.

TextbooksTextbooks

Don’t:Don’t:

Copy workbooks, exercises, tests, or other Copy workbooks, exercises, tests, or other consumable works.consumable works.

WebsitesWebsites

Do:Do: Obtain permission to make more than Obtain permission to make more than

one copy for personal use if you do not one copy for personal use if you do not find a notice saying you can reproduce it.find a notice saying you can reproduce it.

Adhere to the licensing agreement if you Adhere to the licensing agreement if you subscribe.subscribe.

Don’t:Don’t: Assume you can copy material!Assume you can copy material!

ConclusionConclusion

It is important that you, as teachers, be It is important that you, as teachers, be aware of copyright guidelines to be sure aware of copyright guidelines to be sure that you are following them.that you are following them.

If you have questions about a medium’s If you have questions about a medium’s copyright information, ask your Library copyright information, ask your Library Media Specialist!Media Specialist!

ReferencesReferences

Bishop, K. (2007). Bishop, K. (2007). The collection program The collection program in schools: Concepts, practices, and in schools: Concepts, practices, and information sources.information sources. Westport, CT: Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.Libraries Unlimited.

www.creativecommons.orgwww.creativecommons.org