Copyright: What’s the big deal? Jennifer Narvais Dr. Alaniz ETEC 4306

What is infringement? Infringement is producing ones work without their consent or knowledge. An example of infringement in the classroom would be, if students are doing a project and use information from a particular site but do not give credit to where it came from. It is important for students to learn to give credit to where the information they are gathering is coming from. This does begin in the classroom with the teacher, we must lead by example.

What is Fair use? Fair use is “a copyright principle based on the belief that the public is entitled to freely use portions of copyrighted materials for purposes of commentary and criticism”. Four factors of fair use are: the purpose and character of your use the nature of the copyrighted work the amount and substantiality of the portion taken, and the effect of the use upon the potential market.

Copyright infringement for students Students are constantly working on projects and assignments that have a need for them to find information and thoughts that aren’t coming from them first hand. The way students can be sure not to get in trouble with copyright is by following these guidelines: The student can use parts of lawfully acquired copyrighted works in their projects but must have proper credit and citations. Students and teachers must include on the opening screen of their programs and on any printed materials that their presentation has been prepared under fair use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law and are restricted from further use. Educators may claim fair use for their own productions Fair use ends when the multimedia creator loses control of his product's use Educators or students don’t need to write for permission if their presentation falls within the specific multimedia fair use guidelines.