Copyright is a legal protection given to the creator of a work, allowing them exclusive rights to reproduce and distribute their work. This applies to any creative work once it is in a "tangible form" (you can't copyright a poem you wrote in your head, but it is copyrighted once you write it down). Copyright automatically applies without the need to register, but it does expire after a certain period of time. Creators can also waive some or all of their copyright protections, but this must be explicitly stated.
Students on campus interact with copyrighted materials throughout their day. It is important that you understand what copyright is, and how to avoid violating it. Violating copyright can result in fines and lawsuits, against both the individual and potentially the institution.
Fair Use allows for certain uses of copyrighted works, depending on the following conditions:
1. The purpose of the use
2. The nature of the copyrighted work being used
3. The amount of the copyrighted work being used
4. The effect of the use on the value of the copyrighted work
Many people assume that just because they are using something for educational purposes, it falls under Fair Use, That is not true. If you are using a copyrighted work and want to make sure your use is legal, consider the above. How are you using it? How much are you using? Is your use going to negatively impact the value of that work? When in doubt, ask a librarian.
The Fair Use Evaluator can help you determine whether or not your use of Copyrighted materials falls under Fair Use. This is not definitive, as only a court can determine whether or not something is considered Fair Use, but it can help you make your own decisions.
Some creators will choose to waive all or some of their copyright protections. These works are in the Creative Commons. Their usage requirements will be provided, and it is important that you follow these requirements if you don't want to break the law! These requirements can be things like:
You can find works in the Creative Commons using the link below.
Works where copyright has expired, or never applied, are in the Public Domain.
Typically, anything created before 1925 is in the Public Domain. This means that copyright no longer applies to these items, and you are free to use them without asking permission or paying royalties. But beware... if you use an item in the Public Domain, you still have to cite it or it is considered plagiarism!