Academics are both owners and users of copyrighted material. Complex, vague, and ever-changing copyright law creates problems related to copyright for academicians and students who want to access works and digital products. It is important to increase the awareness of these individuals in order to prevent these problems. In this study, it is aimed…

In the United States and much of the world, the current framework of intellectual property laws revolves around protecting others from tampering with an author's work. The copyright holder decides who can use it, who can change it, and who can share. There is a growing school of thought, though, that holds that intellectual creations should be…

School librarians and educators have specific copyright questions that are often glossed over in larger books on the subject. Now, thanks to best-selling copyright authority Carrie Russell, there's a resource just for them, offering clear guidance for providing materials to students while carefully observing copyright law. Using whimsical…

Provides a basic introduction to copyright through a question-and-answer format. Topics covered include definition of copyright, copyright notices and registration, rights to owners, duration, software, civil and criminal penalties, the work-made-for-hire doctrine, fair use, transfer, international scope, licenses, and student materials. (EAM)

The purpose of this brochure, which was produced as a service to the academic community, is to provide a brief outline of what can and cannot be done legally with software, and to clarify the implications and restrictions of the U.S. Copyright Law. Relevant facts concerning copying software precede the EDUCOM statement of principle on intellectual…

Intended to aid members of the academic community who produce written material (this includes instructors and students) in conforming to the requirements of U.S. copyright law, this easy-to-understand guide presents a current overview of relevant sections of the Copyright Act. The guide is in question and answer format and discusses: the…

This paper presents a guide to fair use, particularly use of new media in the classroom. It begins with a brief overview of the fair use doctrine and then presents guidelines for copying of printed materials, use of videotaped materials, and the use of multimedia (the last summarized from the Consortium of College and University Media Center's…

As recently as ten years ago, it may have seemed like science fiction to imagine collaborative spaces on the Internet. Today, collaborative websites have proliferated: (1) blogs; (2) social networking; (3) image sharing; (4) video sharing; (5) open educational resources; and (6) popularity websites. Another type is called a wiki, an online…

Points out that purchasers of CD-ROM products do not acquire the same rights as they do when purchasing print products. Licensing terms and agreements of 12 CD-ROM producers are examined and the making of backup copies of support software, downloading, multiple use and other restrictions, and negotiating different licensing terms are discussed.…

Discusses legal issues involved in developing and distributing multimedia publications. Examines libel; rights of publicity; and such elements of copyright law as copyright protections and infringements, fair use and public domain policies, and use of ideas and factual materials. Uses a hypothetical multimedia project to illustrate the legal rules…

This article presents an overview of the laws governing the use of computer software, along with an outline of precautions school districts should take to reduce the potential for liability. In 1964 the U.S. Copyright Office began to register software as a form of literary expression. This was followed by the Software Rental Amendments Act, which…

Discusses current laws that can be applied to software piracy and methods to prevent piracy in organizations. Specifically looks at copyright and patent law. (JOW)

Discusses the possibilities for copyright infringement in classroom use of media material (e.g., videotaped television programs, slides of illustrations from books, and software). Reviews basics of copyright law; the doctrine of "fair use"; and considerations for audiovisual, multimedia, and software use. Stresses respect for others' work,…

Explains the exceptions incorporated in the Copyright Act to deal with problems raised by computer software. The exceptions discussed include the right to load copy, to make backup copies, and to modify software, as well as the fair use doctrine. (CLB)

The school principal has an affirmative duty to be informed and to fully inform those under his or her supervision regarding the use of copyright. The present Copyright Law of 1978 and its key guidelines are reviewed in this paper, with a focus on the copyright law as it applies to computer software programs, videotaping, and photocopy.…