Copyright and Fair Use

Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines for Teachers

Important Links

Visit Copyright Bay

Permission Slips and Letter of
Request: Examples

Cite the Source!

Citation Machine

Citing Internet Resource

APA Style

MLA Style

Sites for Students

Activities for Students:

Computer Use

Ethical Use Reminder

Teachers may include portions of copyrighted works when producing their own multimedia project for their teaching in support of curriculum-based instructional activities at educational institutions. Teachers may use their project for:
     • assignments for student self-study
     • remote instruction provided the network is secure and is designed to
       prevent unlawful copying for conferences, presentations, or
       workshops
     • professional portfolios

Time Restrictions
The fair use of copyrighted material in multimedia projects lasts for two years only. After two years, obtain permission before using the project again.

Medium	Specifics	What you can do
Printed Material	Articles, stories, or essays less than 2,500 words or two pages from a children's book.	Teachers may make multiple copies for classroom use for teaching classes. Students may incorporate text into multi-media projects.
Illustrations or Photographs	A photograph, collection of work, or illustrations done by someone else.	Single works may be used in their entirety, but no more than five images by a single artist or photographer. (10% or 15 if collection)
Videos (for viewing)	Videotapes and DVDs (purchased or rented).	Teachers may use these materials in the classroom.
Motion Media (for integrating into a multimedia or video projects)	Videotapes, DVDs, multimedia encyclopedia, QuickTime movies, and movie clips from the Internet.	Students may use portions of lawfully acquired copyright works in their academic multimedia,' defined as 10% or 3 minutes of motion media.
Music	Records, cassette tapes, CDs, and audio clips download and from the Internet.	Up to 10% of a copyright musical composition may be reproduced, performed, and displayed as part of a multimedia program, but no more than 30 seconds of the music or lyrics from an individual musical work.
Internet	Internet links and World Wide Web.	Images may be downloaded for student projects and teacher lessons that are not made public.

Copyright provides protection for creative individuals and commercial companies. It is your responsibility to uphold the copyright laws. Significant fines can be imposed for violations.
Last updated on June 27, 2007