Your AL$/OER Librarian
Overview: Copyright, Fair Use and You
Copyright exists to protect the rights of authors and other creators, by ensuring that they are able to make money from their work. In order to also protect the exchange of ideas necessary for innovation and other public interests, copyright expires after a period of time, and is subject to some limitations, such as Fair Use. Libraries and educational purposes have special rights under U.S. copyright law. The links below give more information on copyright law, and the rules for using copyrighted materials legally in your courses.
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Copyright Guide for Faculty (Columbia University Copyright Advisory Services)Information for faculty on using copyrighted resources includes using electronic resources in reading lists, fair use, and an invaluable Fair Use Checklist.
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Copyright and Fair Use (Harvard University's Office of the General Counsel)Harvard's Office of the General Counsel provides a clear and thorough overview of copyright and fair use, along with links to selected resources.
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Fair Use EvaluatorThe American Library Association's interactive evaluator for fair use decision-making.
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Fair Use ChecklistFrom Columbia University's Copyright Advisory Services
Creative Commons Licenses
Creative Commons licenses were developed as an alternative to traditional copyright, allowing creators to choose to allow use of their work under conditions they specify. For example, a Creative Commons license can limit reuse to non-commercial purposes, or to work that also carries the same license. The goal of these licenses is to allow creators more options in how their work is used, while observing current U.S. copyright law. Open educational resources rely on Creative Commons licenses and public domain materials.
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Creative CommonsCreative Commons is a nonprofit that works to "make it easier for people to share their creative and academic work, as well as to access and build upon the work of others." Resources they provide include the Creative Commons licenses, education, and a search portal.
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About the Creative Commons LicensesA discussion of how the Creative Commons licenses work, including a description of each of the six variations.
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Creative Commons SearchOffers convenient access to search services provided by other independent organizations. CC has no control over the results that are returned.