Copyright Do’s and Don’ts In-service for Teachers

Copyright ~ Clear Guidelines The Library Media Center personnel uphold the U.S. copyright laws and fair use guidelines. Shared Responsibility ~ The Key to Successfully Following All Mandated Guidelines

National, State, and County Guidelines Library Media Center School Staff: Administrators Teachers Support Staff Shared Responsibility

Audiocassettes Do obtain written permission from copyright holder BEFORE making any copies. Don’t make copies without permission.

Print Materials : Books, Periodicals, Pamphlets, Newspapers Do make a single copy of a chapter in a book, short story, short essay, short poem, chart, graph, diagram, cartoon, or picture. Don’t Exceed: Poem >250 words Article, story, essay > 2,500 words Other prose > 1,000 words or 10% of the whole Anthologies, compilations, collective works Do not compile works.

CD’s Do follow copyright warning stickers. Do obtain written permission from copyright holder. Don’t make copies of any sound recordings.

CD- ROMs Do purchase CD- ROM and use content. Don’t allow multiple users or multiple copies without obtaining a site or network license.

Comics Do copy up to two pages. Don’t copy greater than 10% of comic book.

Computer Software Do make one back-up copy of each program, as needed. Do follow copyright warning stickers. Don’t allow use of copies at the same time without a site license agreement.

DVDs Do use DVDs in face-to-face instruction for curriculum use. Don’t show movies for entertainment purposes without a Movie Copyright Compliance Site License. Don’t make archival copies of any DVD.

E-Books ~ Electronic Books Do sign a licensing agreement for e-books and follow copyright restrictions. Do be aware that some books will require special software or hardware. Don’t break copyright agreement.

E-Journals ~ Serial Publications-Digital Format Do allow students to make one copy for research purposes. Do follow spontaneity guideline, when appropriate. (ex. Not enough time to wait for permission to copy) Don’t make multiple copies for classroom use without copyright permission from publisher.

Computer Software Games Do make one back up copy of each game, as needed. Do follow copyright warning stickers. Don’t allow use of copies at the same time without a site license agreement.

Graphic Materials: Study prints, Art prints Do copy one chart, graph, diagram, drawing, cartoon, or picture per periodical, as needed. Don’t copy study prints or art prints.

Graphic Novels Do copy up to two pages. Don’t copy more than 10% of the book.

Maps / Globes Do copy simple flat outline maps. Don’t copy wall maps, globes, flat maps.

Newspapers Do copy a chart, graph, diagram, cartoon, picture, or an article for instructional use. Do add a copyright warning notice on each copy. Do follow licensing agreements and pay subscription charges for online newspapers. Don’t exceed: Poetry > 250 words Article > 2,500 words

Online Databases Do follow license agreements for fair use of product. Don’t neglect to consult license agreements for the amount of information that you can download or the number of users who may have access at a given time.

Pamphlets Do examine each pamphlet for copyright information. Do know that government agency pamphlets frequently have no copyright restrictions. Don’t forget to check copyright limitations.

Periodicals Do copy a chart, graph, diagram, cartoon, picture, or article for instructional use. Do follow copyright notice on each copy. Don’t exceed: Poetry >250 words Articles >2,500 words Don’t create anthologies, compilations, or collective works.

Realia: Games, Models, Toys Do obtain written permission before copying slide sets, altering a program, or transferring a program to another format. Don’t break written permission guidelines.

Textbooks Do follow textbook guidelines. Don’t copy workbooks, exercises, test booklets, or other consumable works.

Videocassettes Do erase off-air recordings after 45 calendar days. Do obtain written permission before copying or altering an entire video. Don’t show a videocassette to a class more than twice within ten teaching days. Don’t further use a video without obtaining a license.

References: Bishop, K. (2007). The Collection Program in Schools Concepts, Practices, and Information Sources. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited

Helpful Websites: Beck, S.E. (2006). The good, the bad, and the ugly: Or, why it’s a good idea to evaluate web sources. Retrieved April 20, 2006, from Schrock, K. (2006). Teacher helpers: Critical evaluation information. Retrieved April 20, 2006, from