Copyright+and+Fair+Use+Project+Page

[|Media Education Lab Home Page]

[|Copyright and Fair Use Resource Page at Media Lab]

[|Copyright Law] of the United States of America

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It might be a good idea to start with our FAQ page, especially if you are brand new to the idea of copyright. We also have a student page especially for you to try to gain an understanding about not only copyright, but your rights in relation to copyright and fair use. Once you've checked out the informational pages, make sure you test your knowledge on our activities page. This stuff can be confusing, but with practice you'll learn how to get through the murky waters of copyright.=====

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__**Teachers**__: We know that some teachers might have happened upon this site by accident, but don't worry, there are resources for you here as well. Follow this link to the Teacher Page. You will even find the student pages informative, so be sure to take a look at those as well.=====

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Below, we give a quick glance at the basics of Fair Use as far as educators and learners are concerned. We recommend that you explore the above links as well, especially the[| Media Education Lab], as they are helping to pave a path for educators who want to explore digital technologies but are nervous about the copyright issues digital work might pose.=====

As defined in Article one Section 8 of the US Constitution, the purpose of copyright is, “To promote creativity, innovation and the spread of knowledge.” In light of this positive connotation it is appropriate to begin with a **glance** at what we as educators and learners **//can//** do with copyrighted materials.

In their Five Principles of Code of Best Practices in Fair Use, The Media Education Lab of Temple University presents a useful **“quick look”** guide to answer that question:

1. make copies of newspaper articles, TV shows, and other copyrighted works and use them and keep them for educational use 2. create curriculum materials and scholarship with copyright materials embedded 3. share, sell, and distribute curriculum materials with copyright materials embedded
 * Educators can**:

1. use copyrighted works in creating new material 2. distribute their works digitally if they meet the transformativeness standard
 * Learners can**:

Click here for information about the "transformativeness standard" with a list of examples.

You may also find it useful, especially if you are just beginning to become familiar with copyright and its presence in your classroom, to be aware of what materials are protected under the copyright law. There are //7 overarching categories// :

1. Literary Works 2. Musical Works 3. Dramatic Works 4. Pantomimed and Choreographed Works 5. Pictorial, Graphics, and Sculptural Works 6. Motion Pictures and Audiovisual Works 7. Sound Recordings

There are different ways in which these materials are protected by the copyright and fair use regulations. Refer to the chart on the Transformativeness Standard of this wiki to view these protections.


 * Here are some helpful links for those of you who want to learn more about copyright and how to approach teaching it.**


 * If you are an educator who wants to use something that will fall out of fair use guidelines, The University of Maryland University College [|Information and Library Services cite on copyright] provides a [|sample letter] you could use if you are seeking permission to use a copyrighted work.

Teachers looking for some creative lesson plans and curriculum for teaching copyright should check out [|this site.]

This [|Teacher's First] site also has some excellent links to grade appropriate web sites and information for familiarizing students with copyright.

We've also listed some activities for students on our student page that could easily be turned in to lesson plans and activities. FOOD FOR THOUGHT! Teachers, you could build a lesson plan around this! It not only provides the main points that students need to understand about copyright and fair use, but it also applies the "rules" by its very nature. The accompanying blog link will help as well.

Created by Professor Eric Faden of Bucknell University [|Blog explaining Disney video] media type="youtube" key="CJn_jC4FNDo" height="344" width="425"**

You may find this form helpful in assisting fellow teachers in understanding and complying with the stipulations of copyrighted material. The form serves as a "contract," addressing the resources and materials they would like to use, as well as an attached 4 Factor Test to pre-determine the materials' allowance of use. This formality may help you in not only assuring teachers will be using materials properly, and legally, but it can also help you stay up to date with the resources they are using in their classrooms!
 * ADMINISTRATORS and CURRICULUM COORDINATOR****S:**