Educators Need to Understand Copyright Law, Fair Use & Acceptable Use Policies By Ian Coleman

Important Ideas Fair Use Copyright Acceptable Use Policies

So You Want To Use Some Information From The Web? Fair Use! Whenever you borrow from or use a picture, text or other piece of “original” work that was not created by yourself, include with it information of where you retrieved it and/or seek permission from the “author” to use it.

Fair Use The Copyright Act of 1976 allows for limited use of copyrighted materials by non-profit education groups without permission. The law is vague and flexible and great care should be taken by the educator to understand it before using a work. More information on Fair Use can be found at

Copyright Law - covers “original works of authorship” such as: literary works musical works, including any accompanying words dramatic works, including any accompanying music pantomimes and choreographic works pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works motion pictures and other audiovisual works sound recordings architectural works Information ( )

Copyright Infringement Awards to copyright owners can be anywhere from $500 to $20,000 if the work was infringed upon unintentionally. Willful or knowledgeable infringement can result in awards as much as $100,000 for copyright owner.

Acceptable Use Policies AUPs are one way in which school districts are attempting to govern student use for computers and internet services. Alternative to internet guard program AUPs should include: Acceptable computer use behaviors. Privileges and encourage shared responsibilities Guidelines for safety in use of internet Information about copyright infringement Student input and joint authorship of personal plan A discussion of consequences of inappropriate or irresponsible internet and computer use Thanks to Acceptable Use Policies guidelineswww.isafe.org

Acceptable Use Policies Since the internets inception, AUP’s have been crafted and implemented in many school districts throughout the U.S. For more information on AUP’s visit

Bibliography California Department of Education Internet Safety - ISAFE Copyright Law of the United States Modeling Respectful Use of the Work of Others AKA Copyright Law - Kay Lehmann