Faculty Resources

What is Copyright?

Copyright is a form of intellectual property protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U.S. Code) to the creators of "original works of authorship," including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. Copyright grants creator/authors the ability to control the use of the work created and gives to authors certain exclusive rights:

•  Make copies (ex. a download, PDF email attachment, photocopy or scan, etc.)
•  Distribute copies (ex. sharing on the internet, sending in an email)
•  Prepare derivatives based on the original work (ex. a translation, a sequel, a spin-off)
•  Perform the work publicly (ex. act out, read aloud, play for an audience)
•  Display the work publicly (ex. posting on a web site)

Single Copy

For teaching, including preparation, or for scholarly research, a faculty member may make, or have made, a single copy of a brief work or brief excerpt of a longer work, such as a chapter from a book; an article from a journal or newspaper; a short story, essay or poem; or a chart, diagram, cartoon or picture from a book, journal or newspaper.

Multiple Copies

For one-time distribution to a class, a faculty member generally may make, or have made, multiple copies if s/he:

1. makes no more than one copy for each student;
2. includes the copyright notice;
3. charges no more than the cost of copying;
4. copies only brief works or brief excerpts of longer works (“brevity”), and
5. acts on his or her own inspiration (“spontaneity”).