COPYRIGHT LAWS FOR SCHOOL PROJECTS

by Scott Elzey

COPYRIGHT BACKGROUND

Copyright laws give the owner of the copyright the right to control:

The reproduction and distribution of the creative product.

All works based on or derived from the creative product.

Public performances and displays of the creative product. The sale of the creative product.

FAIR USE

The use of copyrighted material for a public purpose (school) may be considered fair use. Consider these four factors:

1. how the work is being used? (to teach

students)

2. the kind of work being used? 3. how much of the work is being used? 4. the economic impact on the owner of the copyright? (is the creator losing money?)

TYPES OF MATERIALS
AND HOW THEY MAY BE USED

MUSIC
You

may use up to 10% of a song or musical work. A good rule is to not use more than 30 seconds from one song. To use an entire song, you must get written permission from the owner/creator of the song. You must include a bibliography in your work and give credit to the owner/creator.

PHOTOS
You

may use no more than five photographs by the same photographer/creator. To use more, you must get permission from the photographer/creator. Or, you may use photos that are designed for public use (i.e. Flickr Creative Commons) You must include a bibliography in your work to give the photographer/creator credit.

VIDEOS
You

may use (without permission) up to 10% or 3 minutes (whichever is less) of copyrighted videotapes, DVDs, CD-Roms, etc. To use more, you must get written permission from the creator. Or, you may use video intended for public consumption (i.e.YouTube) You must include a bibliography in your work.

TEXT MATERIALS
You

can use (without permission):

A poem with less than 250 words Up to 250 words from a poem with greater than 2500 words. Articles, stories, or essays less than 2500 words. Part of a longer work: 10% of the work or 1000 words (whichever is less) One chart, picture, diagram, graph, cartoon, or picture per book, encyclopedia, newspaper, or magazine. Two pages from a picture book with less than 2500 words

TEXT MATERIALS (CONTINUED)

To

use more, you need written permission from the author. You must include a bibliography in your work.

RESOURCES
Creative Commons- a non-profit organization that enables the sharing and use of creativity through free, legal tools. (includes videos, photos, and music)

Links for: Music Photos Videos Text- Project Gutenberg