Although law and regulation governing the distribution of intellectual property rights has significant implications for the cost, quality, and adaptability of educational products and services, PreK-12 education researchers have largely overlooked this issue. Recent changes to federal regulations in the U.S. require some federally funded…

This handbook is designed to provide guidelines for members of the Salt Lake Community College (Utah) community, faculty, administrators, staff, and students to follow in using copyrighted materials legally and appropriately. Perhaps the most often misinterpreted section of the U.S. Copyright Law of 1976 is Section 107: Limitations on Exclusive…

This report gives an overview of the past and present domestic and international legal framework for database protection. It describes database industry practices in securing protection against unauthorized use and Copyright Office registration practices relating to databases. Finally, it discusses issues raised and concerns expressed in a series…

American copyright law provides a means of stimulating intellectual development and protecting the ownership interests of the authors of copyrighted works. Over the years, U.S. copyright law has evolved in order to respond to societal and technological changes. Under the copyright statute certain uses of a copyrighted work are permitted under the…

This guide provides a concise overview of current copyright law and its interpretations, particularly for classroom educators, librarians, school media specialists, and their constituents. Building on the question-and-answer format introduced in the first edition, the second edition adds commentary on critical developments of the last eight years,…

The existing Copyright Act of 1976 makes it virtually impossible for distance educators to transmit audio-visual or non-dramatic, literary works to students through any medium which may be received by the general public. It is a law that perhaps unintentionally discriminates against distance learning students. Certain revisions of the law are…

Discusses issues of copyright and the transfer or use of intellectual property as they relate to librarians. Topics addressed include the purpose of copyright laws, financial losses to publishers from pirating, cultural views of pirating, the fair use doctrine, concerns of authors of scholarly materials, impact of increasing library automation and…

This circular details the methods for investigating whether a work is under copyright protection, and, if so, the facts of the copyright. Both in-person searches at the Copyright Office and searches by the Copyright Office staff for a $10.00 per hour fee are detailed. The circular also explains the effect of the Copyright Act of 1976, which…

Four subjects are the focus of this discussion of school law: sexual harassment, the copyright act, school discipline, and religion and the schools. In cases of sexual harassment of students by school personnel, a criterion for determining whether a school is liable involves the standard of "actual knowledge" in which school officials…

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…

Information on patents is provided for librarians and laypersons requiring an understanding of the system and the processes involved. Chapter 1 discusses successful patents; terms and concepts; patent types; copyright; trademark; requirements; patent examiners; patent pending; expiration; patentee and assignee; and reissued patents. Chapter 2…

The first half of the proceedings consists of three papers presented during the program session of a Library of Congress Network Advisory Committee (NAC) meeting. The first, a background paper by Robert L. Oakley, identifies some of the problems that modern information technology has created for the intellectual property system in the United…

Statements and testimony from four major and eight additional witnesses comprise these 1981 hearings. David Ladd, Register of Copyrights and Associate Librarian for Copyright Services, reports on the functions and administrative operations of the Copyright Office since the new copyright law came into effect in 1978. The functions of the Patents…

As public humanities programs increasingly make use of media products, an understanding of copyrights is essential. Some problems pertaining to copyrights may be alleviated by advanced planning, a clear division of responsibilities, and by using reason to determine that policies are workable and fair. The problem involves a growing…

Reviews copyright legislation; presents guidelines that should be used to determine whether educators' copying procedures or policies are in keeping with the copyright laws. Presents two scenarios wherein teachers are reproducing works for their classes and provides case law citations. (MLF)