The second article in a four-part continuing education course on legal issues affecting libraries and librarians addresses the issues of liability insurance, malpractice, and copyright laws pertaining to print materials and computer software. (12 references) (CLB)

Provides an overview of the legal nature of copyright, its history, and present status. Current issues of concern to information professionals are then discussed, including reproduction and distribution of copyrighted material, interlibrary loans, the "Five-Year Review" of the current law, technology, nonprint materials, and databases.…

Intended to help librarians, library media specialists, administrators, and educators better understand the ramifications of the copyright law, Public Law 94-553, this document asks and answers some of the basic questions concerning compliance with the law. Topics covered include definition of the copyright law; scope of copyright protection;…

Provides guidelines intended to help teachers, librarians, and administrators recognize when they must obtain permission to copy, perform, or display a work. Reviews the exceptions to the copyright law and its application to photocopying, reproduction by libraries and archives, videotaping, live and transmitted performances, and computer programs.…

Some school systems are recognizing their responsibility to check software piracy, and a few publishers are responding to schools' needs and offering discounts on multiple copies of software to schools with policies protecting software copyright. Includes a model policy example. (MD)

As schools increasingly take advantage of sophisticated technologies to enhance education, their need to understand basic copyright law becomes more urgent. This reference guide reviews the historical development of copyright, examines basic components, and analyzes exceptions to copyright owners' rights. Also covered are key areas such as…

The product of a detailed study of university copyright policies in Association of Research (ARL) Libraries, this System and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) flyer/kit approaches copyright use and ownership policies from the viewpoint of university administrations as well as libraries. A brief introduction discusses policies on use and ownership…

This guide explains how the United Kingdom Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 affects librarians and information workers in professional bodies and charitable organizations, and offers guidance on interpreting the main provisions of the law. The guide begins by providing definitions, clarifying what materials are subject to copyright, the…

A one-page copyright policy adopted by the Board of Education of Carmel Clay Schools, Carmel, Indiana, is accompanied by guidelines for the use of copyrighted materials designed for the use of school staff members. Following a general discussion of copyright, the guidelines include discussions of the following topics: (1) computer software; (2)…

The broad range of copyright issues educators face in the classroom are discussed. The discussion focuses on the fair use provision of the 1976 Copyright Act as it applies to the reproduction of print, software, and video materials. (SM)

Designed to assist Ohio educators with the responsibility of complying with the Copyright Revision Act of 1976, this handbook is intended to be used as a tool by library media personnel working in concert with school boards and local administrators to determine policies and procedures for compliance. Discussions include the following topics: (1) a…

Chaska High School (Minnesota) established a firm district policy to prevent unauthorized, illegal duplication of computer software by teachers and students. The policy's success depends on an ethics re-education program for users, increased funding for software, and a preview library for teachers. (MLH)

This pullout guide addresses issues regarding library use of copyrighted videotapes and computer software. Guidelines for videotapes cover in-classroom use, in-library use in public library, loan, and duplication. Guidelines for computer software cover purchase conditions, avoiding license restrictions, loaning, archival copies, and in-library and…

Guidelines for the fair use of videotapes and computer software in library and classroom situations under the Copyright Revision Act of 1976 cover the areas of reproduction, adaptation, distribution, public performance, and display. Several hypothetical situations are presented to explain the legal responsibility of the library. (CLB)

This monograph presents examples of typical public school situations involving copyright issues; the advice provided is based on a conservative interpretation of the copyright law. The following topics are discussed: history and liability; fair use; print materials; audiovisual works; computer software; interlibrary loan, photocopying, facsimile,…