What is a copyright?
A copyright defines the usage of your personal published work. It allows for specific usage agreements and ownership to be retained by the creator. Any, original to the producer, tangible work can be copyrighted. Which includes written works, and recorded works. Original means the work can only be copyrighted by the person who first person who created the material. Things that cannot receive a copyright include items that are created in the public view. For example an idea, thought or blank document cannot receive a copyright.
What is fair use?
Fair usage allows for just what it says, appropriate and fair usage of the copyrighted material. There is not set guidelines for this. It is recommended we think of four factors in deciding fair usage. What is the purpose and character of the usage we are attempting. Is it in good character and of a positive purpose. What is the nature of the copyright? What policies are in place? What is the amount of the property being used? What is the effect of the potential market? These are all factors that contribute to fair usage.
Fair usage allows for just what it says, appropriate and fair usage of the copyrighted material. There is not set guidelines for this. It is recommended we think of four factors in deciding fair usage. What is the purpose and character of the usage we are attempting. Is it in good character and of a positive purpose. What is the nature of the copyright? What policies are in place? What is the amount of the property being used? What is the effect of the potential market? These are all factors that contribute to fair usage.
When we as instructors copy or use material we need to consider two factors. What is the brevity and spontaneity of using the material? This means how much of the material are we using? And how long would it take to plan to reach out to the owner of the copyright to use the material.
Though there are no standard rules, we do have general expectations. In general fair use can be determined by using a segment of the material or below a given amount of copies. With a book it is okay to use a chapter but we would never use a book. With a poem we can use it if it is less than 250 words on less than two pages. (source linked)
Resources and Government action.
Each institution has different fair use expectations. University of Maryland University College’s expectation were discussed in the article and can be found here. Prior the passage of the T.E.A.C.H Act copyrights were only limited to in class expectations. With the passage of the T.E.A.C.H Act copyright privileges now apply to online classroom and distance education classrooms.
After giving a summary of the article found here, I wanted to share some thoughts. Copyrights are very important and as we have discussed in class they are viewed differently by the individual. Someone who has placed an extensive amount of time into an intellectual work will be more possessive of a copyright. However, a beginning photographer may appreciate there work being shared and the “free exposure.” Just as the article depicted fair usage is dependant upon the individual interpreting the situation.
