Research Guides: Copyright and Fair Use

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Copyright Law is the body of exclusive rights granted by the laws of the United States to authors for protection of their intellectual creativity for a limited period of time. It is a form of protection for original works of authorship. Copyright means the right to copy. The owner of copyright has the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works and, in the case of certain works, publicly perform or display the work. The owner also has the exclusive right to license others to engage in the same acts under specific terms and conditions.

The law is structured such that it is directly relevant to many of the common and innovative teaching and research practices in libraries and educational institutions. Educators and librarians ask about the photocopying and fair use provisions of the copyright law. Fair use is one of the exceptions, subject to rigorous conditions and limits, provided for in the law. This doctrine has developed over years through a substantial number of court decisions and is codified in 17US107.

The following resources are helpful in understanding the copyright law and how it applies to the educational environment:

Books

Crews, Kenneth D. Copyright Essentials for Librarians and Educators. Chicago: American Library Association, 2000. REF KF 2995 .C74 2000

Internet Sources

U.S. Copyright Office (Library of Congress)

Reproduction of Copyrighted Works by Educators and Librarians (U.S. Copyright Office Circular 21)

In Answer to Your Query: Fair Use (U.S. Copyright Office Factsheet 102)

Crash Course in Copyright (University of Texas)

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